Groups from Nagaland accused of illegal tax collection in Karbi Anglong

DIMAPUR — The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) and the Karbi Anglong Chamber of Commerce (KACC) alleged that unidentified groups/individuals from Nagaland are resorting to illegal collection of taxes in Karbi Anglong in the name of the Karbi people.

The CNCCI president, Dr. Kheghuka Muru, and the KACC chairman, Augustine Kramsa, claimed this during a press conference following a meeting between the two organisations at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur on Saturday

Kramsa, when queried about the identity of the groups/individuals collecting the tax, responded that they are receiving information indicating that people from Nagaland are going to Karbi Anglong for illegal tax collection, but they cannot particularly ascertain which faction or group is involved.

“We can provide the details only in our next meetings,” he said.

Kramsa also mentioned that, according to the information they received, the groups/individuals involved collect between INR 10,000 and INR 15,000 per truck. He added that this activity began after the check posts in Nagaland were closed.

Also, he pointed out that the existence of illegal gates and the collection of taxes in Karbi Anglong are causing problems for both Nagaland and Manipur.

He said that illicit taxation in Karbi Anglong is a significant problem for transporters and informed that the meeting also discussed the syndicate system, which is harming both businesses and the public.

Muru stated that, in addition to the Assam Chamber of Commerce, the KACC is also crucial for Nagaland and its business community. He acknowledged that it is important for these two bodies to coordinate and come together.

He mentioned that, over the years, there have been significant problems along the short distances from Nagaon to Dimapur and Garampani to Dimapur, ranging from high transportation rates to substantial tax collections, whether legal or illegal, and the syndicate system.

He added that it is not the people from Karbi Anglong who impose undue taxes but groups/individuals from Nagaland who exploit such means and take undue advantage, thereby impacting the markets in both Nagaland and Manipur.

Muru highlighted that this issue has also been brought to the attention of the Manipur Chamber of Commerce and discussed how they could jointly provide relief to the business community and consumers.

He appealed for the help and support of state governments and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, adding that there are many issues and not all can be resolved in just one or two meetings.

Citing the “abnormally high” rate of sand in Nagaland, Muru explained that this situation is not due to the business community unscrupulously inflating prices to earn profit. Instead, he said, there are underlying reasons for the high rates and both parties have agreed to investigate these factors and discuss the necessary steps.

He said they are hopeful that, with the two bodies coming together, they can identify issues to address and reach an agreement.

The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Akashe Zhimomi, who was also present at the press conference, acknowledged that there was a lack of coordination amongst them but now they will continue to coordinate and streamline issues.

‘There is the existence of syndicate and gate issues. In Nagaland, after the implementation of GST, the state government removed all the gates. However, in Karbi Anglong, they still exist, causing problems. We have discussed how to streamline these issues,’ he said.