Dimapur, February 6 (MExN): The Central Police Reserve Force manning Assam-Nagaland border is in the news again – this time allegedly for exacting so-called “tax” from Naga villagers at the border areas. A village council has alleged that the CRPF force – which continues to be accused of prejudice and discrimination against Nagas at the border for many years now – now has begun to take a percentage of taxes originally paid to Naga landowners by cultivators. Ralan Old Village Council issued a press release today stating the accusation, particularly against the Sector Commander of the CRPF.
The council stated – “On 30th January 2012, during the visit of the minister/parliamentary secretaries, deputy speaker and other officials to the area, it was brought to the notice of the officials and the public that, the Sector Commander of the CRPF presently posted in the area, has prevented the field labours/tenants from paying the full quantity of taxes/paddy to the Nagas. It is found that, unlike in the previous years, those field owners who were getting 60 mohns or 20 mohns etc of tax/paddy every year received only 15 and 5 mohns etc in this season.”
This issue was brought to the knowledge of the officials and Legislators and to the public during a general meeting on January 30, 2012 the council said. ”…the Sector Commander of the CRPF was squarely responsible for this defaults in the payment of the yearly taxes/paddy. It was reported by the field workers/tenants that, the Sector Commander had compelled them/field workers to pay less to the Nagas while he reportedly took the lion share of the tax by himself,” the Ralan council said.
The village council has demanded clarification why CRPF personnel posted in the area in 2011 “suddenly become the land owner at Ralan area and take the tax/paddy being paid to the Nagas/Lothas by the tenants (Adivasis, Kacharis, Nepalis etc) since the past century?”
The council narrated discrimination and prejudice against the Naga villagers in the area allegedly by the CRPF. The Nagas are not allowed to construct huts or homes in their own lands and fields and they are deprived of proper shelters, the council said.
“Similarly, constructions of roads, Safe drinking water, basic Health Centers, Electricity supply lines and all forms of developments from Nagaland are completely prevented by the CRPF whereas, such developments from Assam takes place under the security protection and permission of the CRPF posted in the area/Lipahayan/Jantalashung etc and it was opposed and prevented by the Nagas as the biased and one sided actions of the natural forces/CRPF is not tolerable,” the council said.
