DIMAPUR, MAY 2 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation Nagaland has alleged that a member of the NSCN (K) “threatened the life” of the Dimapur District Pick-Up Van & Drivers’ Union President, Akaho Awomi “on the issue of tax.”
A press note from ACAUT Nagaland stated that on April 24, “one NSCN (K) Major Shitokhu sent an SMS” to Akaho Awomi, which read as: “Since you have refused to pay, we’ll not take. However, know that you’re in Hitlist number one. Your life your wish!”
According to ACAUT Nagaland, prior to the SMS, Awomi had “received a letter from the Urban Town Commander NSCN (K), K. Aye, asking the Pick-Up Van and Drivers’ Union to pay an amount of Rs. 5000 per vehicle.” It further informed that, “in a later telephonic conversation, the union was ordered to pay the amount in Kohima.”
ACAUT Nagaland stated: “that a person can be threatened with death for refusing to comply with the NSCN (K) tax demand of Rs. 5000 per vehicle for the year 2014-15 is not the operating procedure of a revolutionary organization but the hallmark of mafias.”
Expressing concern at the “random targeting” of individuals and the business community, ACAUT Nagaland reminded the NSCN (K) of its “obligation to clarify to the Naga people that its cadre Vicky Sumi was responsible for the grenade attack on Maruti Trading Company on April 22.” “Unless the NSCN (K) leadership clarifies its position on the above 2 mentioned incidences, the Naga people would be inclined to believe that NSCN (K) has gone haywire, contrary to national principles and the ACAUT Movement would be forced to question the legitimacy of NSCN (K),” it cautioned.
Chairmen, GBs from Dimapur
to abide by Oct 31 resolution
Chairmen and GBs of urban and rural Dimapur held a joint meeting with ACAUT Nagaland on May 2 and resolved to abide by the October 31, 2013 Naga public resolution on ‘One Government One Tax.’ A press note from ACAUT Nagaland informed that the house also decided “not pay any form of tax to any Naga Political Group, including household and ration tax, as long as factionalism existed in the Naga movement.” It was further agreed that any threat or intimidation against any village or colony chairmen/GBs, by any factions on the issue of tax, “shall be taken as threats against the entire chairmen and GB community in particular and Nagas in general.” ACAUT Nagaland stated that one hundred Chairmen and GBs representing Dimapur urban area of well over 80 colonies and several villages attended the meeting.
