EMN
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 9
MEMBERS of the Action Committee Against Unabated Tax (ACAUT) met with the NSCN (IM) leadership in its headquarters at Hebron for the second time this week. The last meeting was held on August 6 when ACAUT had postponed a mass base civil society meeting to respond to the NSCN (IM) invite to dialogue on the issue of “unabated taxation”. At the meeting today, NSCN/GPRN general secretary and Ato Kilonser, Thuingaleng Muivah, made no effort to disguise his displeasure on the ongoing initiative taken by the ACAUT. He said the movement was becoming political, because the leadership has been questioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (GoI), on its stand on the report of ACAUT.
Recently, the fact finding committee of the ACAUT had tabled an extensive report on the widespread illegal presence of “syndicates” and “dealerships” controlling almost every trade and killing local entrepreneurship.
The report had also detailed the collection of “illegal taxes” (a euphemism) for “extortion” by the underground and overground factions from businessmen and traders in Dimapur.
The NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser has cautioned the ACAUT members to be careful with their decisions and actions, fearing that it would harm the (Naga) national cause by hampering the progress of the ongoing talks with the Centre.
He also warned ACAUT to keep its actions under control, take its decisions seriously and not to brainwash the Naga public with mere false accusations.
“We will not take responsibility if your own decision and action lead to any unwanted incidents in the future. And we will be observing this carefully,” he said.
He further warned that the NSCN (IM) will take its own course of action if ACAUT’s accusations against them for rampant taxation, by any chance, hamper the ongoing talks. “Now you (ACAUT) have given the message to the central government that the Nagas are fighting amongst themselves.”
On taxation, Muivah reiterated the right of NSCN(IM) “government” to collect tax from the Nagas as it has stood up for the Naga cause.
Commenting on the collection of taxes by other underground factions, Muivah said the Naga National Council (NNC) had no right to collect tax from the Naga people as it did not condemn the Shillong Accord after it was signed in November 1975. By signing the Shillong Accord, NNC had surrendered all the rights of the Nagas to the Indian government, he said adding, “It is NSCN (IM) continuously fighting for the Nagas till this day.”
“NNC collected tax in the past. Why should the Nagas pay tax to the NNC who sold our rights by signing the Shillong Accord? Why do you stop NSCN (IM) from collecting tax now, while NNC collected since then? Please tell me whether NNC or NSCN (IM) is the right government for the Nagas. Or be it NSCN (K), Khole-Kitovi or even FGN?” Muivah questioned.
He reiterated that these (rival) groups are not the right ones to collect tax as they fall short of expectation to fight for Naga rights. “Why should the Nagas pay tax to NSCN (K) who has walked out of the reconciliation table initiated by FNR? NSCN is the right group to collect tax as it is earnestly standing for Naga cause.”
Muivah accused the action of the ACAUT as being anti-nationalist. “Now it appears like ACAUT is abiding with the Shillong Accord. Even in the past, the NSCN (IM) strongly opposed the signing of the Shillong Accord and even took action against some of them (accordists).
“Even today we will not restrict ourselves from doing so if people are anti-nationalists.” He even justified the killings of some NNC leaders saying they were “anti-nationalist.”
Muivah further invited ACAUT to “come with a sincere approach, then we will sit together to solve out issues for the betterment of the Nagas. Then only we can understand each other. Without proper approach, it will only provoke us….Don’t tarnish our image simply. And don’t let our opposition parties find its say through your action. Please respect our commitment for the national cause.”
NSCN (IM) is totally against extortion in any sense. “We will try our best to be rational and sensible,” Muivah maintained.
Hearing the grievances of ACAUT, Muivah further gave assurance that NSCN (IM) will try its best to control things and bring back the situation to normalcy. “It is time for us to understand each other,” he said.
One official from the NSCN (IM) even warned ACAUT that strong action would be initiated if ACAUT tries to brainwash people by expanding its association to other districts in Nagaland.
Another official cautioned the ACAUT members with stringent action if they act beyond their limits. He even said ACAUT is not a recognized organization to be creating such nuisance of late.
While several speakers spoke on behalf of ACAUT reiterating their earlier grievances against the rampant taxations by the Naga political groups and government agencies. ACAUT members made it very clear that its motive and actions were clear and not against any political groups. Like their earlier demands, they have opposed the syndicate and dealership system which is presently being been practiced.
The ACAUT members also said that they are meeting both the Naga political groups and government agencies to address the issues they have raised. They insisted that their initiative is not for any personal interest but for the common good of all Nagas.
Altogether, there were over 100 ACAUT members who attended the meeting representing Dimapur based civil society, business community, student and youth organizations including Naga Council, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, East Dimapur Business Association, Chumukedima Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, YAN, GB Union, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation, Dimapur District Consumers’ Society and Senior Citizen’s Forum.
Representatives of the NSCN(IM) included several officials including kilonsers and deputy kilonsers.
