Naga businessmen told not to pay “taxes”

EMN Dimapur, December 9 A group calling itself the “Business Association of Nagas” Monday expressed support to the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) and said the former stands for the resolution adopted by the public during the public rally of October 31. The organization has urged all Naga entrepreneurs and business establishment to not pay any taxes to any ‘organizations’ until the conditions stipulated in the ACAUT resolutions are fulfilled. “BAN feels that it is the time when all the organizations must summon a new spirit of courage and honesty and come in support of Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation instead of wait and watch policy, BAN stands by the resolution adopted on 31st October during the ACAUT rally…,” the organization said in a press release received here today. The Business Association of Nagas explained that the resolution undertaken by the public during the rally was the mandate and will of the people itself concerning the unabated so-called “taxation”. The organization has urged all Naga businessmen to not pay any so-called taxes to any organizations. “According to resolution adopted BAN request all NAGA business owners not to pay taxes to any organizations until the terms and conditions of the resolutions are fulfilled,” the press release said. The Business Association of Nagas also applauded what it called the ‘wise decision’ of the East Dimapur Business Association and East Dimapur village councils namely Purana Bazar Village Council, Padumpukhri Village council, Nahabahari Village Council and Dorgapathar Village Council not to pay taxes to any organization. They are also appreciated for setting up local ACAUT units in the village’s jurisdictions. “BAN encourages such bold decision and should be adopted by other village councils to represent the will of the people,” the press release said. Further, the Business Association of Nagas lauded the “exemplary courage an alertness of the Chekiye Youth in apprehending the murderers of Kishore a businessman from Dimapur.” Such an example must be “followed by all the public in their respective colonies,” the group said. The association explained that “extraordinary times require extraordinary measures that the public must stand up against anti social elements in the society and help the law enforcing agencies and not always depend on them to do everything.”