LUD refutes NSCN (K) Khango’s allegation against Aye regarding tax collection

Terms group’s statement direct threat to member’s life

DIMAPUR — The Lokobomi Union Dimapur (LUD) has refuted the allegation of NSCN (K)  Khango against Nitovi Aye, who was accused of collecting taxes on behalf of any Naga national political groups.

The union stated in a press release that it takes seriously the malicious allegation levelled against one of its bona fide members, Aye, who is also the owner of the Star Cargo Transport Agency Dimapur.

The union described Aye as ‘well known by the nature of his simple living with clean reputation and have no history of indulging in any cheap practices of illegal taxation in the market,’ adding that he is an entrepreneur with a dynamic personality and an attitude to render selfless services to society.

The LUD said that dragging his name into the collection of illegal taxation from the market was a grave mistake unless it was aimed to intentionally tarnish the good image of Star Cargo Transport Agency Dimapur, and alleged that some cadres of the NSCN (K) Khango demanded a monthly payment of INR 5 lakh from the agency, prompting Aye to express his inability to pay such a huge amount of tax to the said party.

The union has appealed to the top leaders of NSCN (K)  Khango to advice the Naga army based in Dimapur to first authenticate their claim through proper investigation before going to the press, as the allegation against Aye was totally unfounded and different from the actual misunderstanding that erupted out of this particular matter.

It also termed the statement of NSCN (K) Khango a direct threat to the life of Aye and said that the group will be held solely responsible if any untoward incident affects his life and business.

The union urged Naga national workers to give more importance to an early settlement of the protracted Indo-Naga political issue than to creating commotion concerning illegal taxation in the market.

It also appealed to the law enforcement agencies to take note of any intimidating statements made by individuals or groups and apprehend anyone who is actually involved in illegal taxation in the market in order to provide relief to the Dimapur business community.

Meanwhile, responding to a rejoinder issued by Nitovi Aye, the NSCN  reiterated that Aye, in his own capacity, had been collecting money from transport agencies affiliated with Star Cargo Transport Agency on behalf of the NSCN  and other Naga political groups for the past nine months.

In a press statement, the NSCN  said that Aye’s attempt to discredit the statement and the directive of the NSCN by ‘conceiving schemes and fabricating the episode of kidnapping stories to come out clean and play the victim is highly condemned’.

It cleared that NSCN  will not settle for even a penny less than what Nitovi Aye owes the government, and it directed him to submit the amount at the earliest to avoid any unwanted outcome. It further directed all the transport agencies and trucks affiliated with or registered with Star Cargo Transport Agencies to abstain from associating with him or the agency until the matter is settled.

Cautioning that the consequence for non-compliance of the directive will be the sole responsibility of the defaulters, the statement said that the NSCN  will bear all responsibilities and liabilities of the actions and the undesirable consequences that might occur with the person in question and the defaulters as a result of defiance of the government directive.

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