Naga political solution key to ending extortion, says Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation

DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) has raised concern over the escalation in extortion cases and harassment targeting the business community, stating that the issue can only be permanently resolved by bringing a logical conclusion to the Naga political issue.

In a press release on Friday, the organisation noted that despite the state government’s response to the ‘indefinite shutter down’ protest spearheaded by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) earlier this year, “there are increase harassment and forceful extortions especially to the business community”.

Claiming that there are “validated reports that first generation entrepreneurs are being served extortion notices and calls with deadlines,” DAYO reiterated that only statutory bodies and law enforcing agencies are empowered to issue summons to anyone in conflict with the law, and groups or entities doing so are illegal.

“We reaffirm that with the three new stringent criminal laws in place, we will not hesitate to file FIRs and cases and to ensure that culprits are booked under National Security Act as empowered by the Home Commissioner,” it asserted.

It also reaffirmed the December 2018 resolution of Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur which stated that “any threat and intimation to the economic livelihood, businesses, employment both government and private sector of it members will be dealt with, befittingly as per the law of the land and as per the customary practices of the Aos”.

Meanwhile, the organisation asserted that, “illegal taxation is the root cause of factionalism and has been crippling our society for too long, time has come to say enough is enough!”

Stating that it would continue to uphold the principle of ‘One Government One Tax’, it pledged full cooperation with the Police Commissionerate to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.

Further, it asserted that “the cancerous symptomatic growth of multiple extortion can only be permanently resolved by bringing the signed agreements of 2015 and 2017 on Naga political imbroglio to its logical conclusion by the Government of India”.

The pulse of the people yearning for development and peace in Dimapur and Nagaland as a whole should be respected by one and all, it said.

The organisation further urged its members to remain vigilant and report any extortion attempts to its dedicated helpline (8974851911).