Nagaland Cabinet calls for stern action on illegal taxation

KOHIMA — In the backdrop of indefinite shutter down protest spearheaded by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), the Nagaland Cabinet convened a meeting on Friday to discuss the escalating issue of illegal taxation and extortion in the state.

According to sources, the Cabinet decided to request the business bodies to call off the indefinite stoppage of all business activities, while directing all district administrations to take stern action on illegal taxation as well immediate deployment of additional police forces in Dimapur.

Earlier on April 25, the Home Commissioner had also written to the Director General of Police (DGP) and Commissioner of Nagaland, taking note of the rampant collection of taxes by Naga political groups (NPGs), many of which are currently under ceasefire agreements with the Government of India.

Stating that such activities, “reflect adversely on the law enforcing agency as well as on the State Government”, it directed the state police force to continue arresting ‘underground cadres’ found extorting and collecting taxes, and detain such culprits under the National Security Act (NSA).

It also said that the Ceasefire Ground Rules should be effectively implemented and punitive actions taken against any violations, and the same be brought to the knowledge of Chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group or Ceasefire Supervisory Board for appropriate action.

Further, it instructed the Commissioner of Police to increase police patrolling in market areas and business locations, while recommending deployment of the IRB to instil confidence among the public.

Advising businesses to install CCTVs, it also directed the police to check the movement of anti-social elements with more surveillance through CCTV and security cameras in the market areas.

It went on to direct the Commissioner of Police to set up a special cell to exclusively deal with extortion cases.