Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 30
A consultative meeting on the agenda of taxation and other related issues concerning Dimapur was organised by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) with Dimapur based civil societies on November 30.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the members adopted five resolutions which included the reaffirmation of ‘One Government, One Tax,’ previously adopted at the public rally on October 31, 2013.
The NCD also appealed to the Government of India to expedite the process of bringing an early solution to the protracted Naga political issue. It further decided on the immediate ban of any type of fund collections; seeking freewill donations or contributions; selling calendars or diaries in the name of Christmas or New Year celebrations by any individuals, organisations or groups.
To carry the agenda forward, a consultative meeting for next course of action against ‘illegal taxation’ with all the Dimapur based tribal apex bodies, all non-Naga communities and all recognised CSOs would be held on December 7, at the Tourist Lodge, Dimapur.
Additionally, the house requested all shopkeepers to white wash/paint their respective premises and maintain cleanliness in the city during the festive season.
Earlier, President of NCD, Etsungmomo Kikon noted on the need to speak on concerning issues in Dimapur particularly with illegal taxation. “Every day we are getting complaints about illegal taxation,” he said, while adding that, apex organisations in the other districts have closed down illegal taxation. As such, he appealed for the full support of the CSOs, traders unions, business associations and the public into taking this matter forward.
Various issues were highlighted during the meeting by representatives from the Nagaland Timber Traders Union, Muslim Council of Dimapur, Bengali Samaj, Dimapur Gorkha Union, Dimapur District Citizen’s Forum, Business Association of Nagas, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation, Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Forum, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students Union, GB’s Union Dimapur (Sadar/Urban) and Pork Butchers Association.
These pertained to matters of illegal taxation on timber trade by Naga Political Groups (NPGs), existence of syndicate system which hampers the smooth flow of trade primarily from groups operating in Assam, lack of trust pertaining to law and enforcement agencies, illegal taxation by not just NPGs but by other associations, villages and groups in Dimapur.
The formal induction of the Tikhir Tribal Union of Dimapur into the NCD was also done in the presence of the other associations.
