Tax-Tired: Community leaders vet undergrounds’ ‘illegal’ levies

EMN
Dimapur, June 22

Community leaders are gradually taking to the streets in protest against the numerous so-called ‘tax’ imposed by the underground organizations, particularly in Dimapur town, the most-affected in the state.
On June 22, members of the Joint Village Council, a conglomeration of village council leaders, took out a rally in Dimapur declaring opposition to the ‘any tax’ imposed by the Naga underground groups.
The Joint Village Council comprises councils of Darogajan, Kushiabill, Bamunpukhuri-1 and Bamunpukhuri-2, and Zani village. The rally began at 6:00 am starting from the Darogajan village gate and covered villages of the organization’s constituents.The council issued a press statement on Monday informing that the organization was opposed to any ‘tax’ “to the NPG (Naga political groups)” and adhering to the directives of the deputy commissioner of DImapur district on May 15 this year.
During the rally, the protestors also pasted posters stating ‘no tax’ along the way. The council announced to all the villagers to report to their respective chairman and Gaon Bura any activity of ‘tax collection’ by any group ‘seen or found’.
The rally started with Yashi Ao praying to Almighty God. Short speeches were delivered by the village chairmen and Gaon Bura. The rally ended at Doys Market junction.
The resentment of the local communities and civil organizations against the numerous illegal levies imposed by the underground groups continues to grow. Popularly so-termed “Illegal taxation”, ‘illegal tax’ is a euphemistic term used locally in the state to mean any monetary solicitation that was unauthorized either by local government statutes or state legislation. In the context of Nagaland “illegal taxation” often involves threat or perceived threat particularly when it comes to the armed Naga underground groups.
Weeks ago, the Nagaland Government Registered Class-I Contractors’ Union (NGRC-I CU) had announced that none of its members would pay any form of “taxation” at “check gates and on any highways as per the government standing order.”
Shortly, the officiating Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Elizabeth Ngully had issued a much-welcomed order directing that no levies–forced or requested–were to be imposed on the public by any organization. The order stated: “it is hereby directed to all concerned that in the interest of the general public any union/association/nongovernmental organizations or any other private or community organization by whatever name shall not be allowed to collect any form of taxes membership fees, subscriptions, contributions, donations, charges, levy, toll or any other form of collection of money by setting up of counters on state highways, national highways or market places except those expressly authorized by the government issued by the concerned secretary of the department”.
Likewise, on Thursday, June 18, the Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Welfare Trade Union and the Dimapur Truck Owners’ Association had issued a joint statement decrying the ‘tax’ burden commercial transporters were suffering. The two organizations resolved to jointly fight the illegal ‘tax’ imposed on the commercial carriers.