Dimapur, June 21 (MExN): Responding to a statement made by “a Naga armed organisation,” the office of the Government of India’s (GoI) Representative and Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks clarified that taxation can only be exercised by the Government of India or the State Government.
The clarification comes after the NSCN (IM) recently asserted its “legitimate right” to collect taxes which was recognized even by the representatives of the Government of India who are engaged in political dialogue with them.
“Such an erroneous statement is likely to cause confusion among the people. Taxation is a sovereign function which can be exercised only by the Government of India or the State Government,” an official statement from the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to GoI’s Representative and Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks stated today.
“The Government of India does not recognise any such right by any other entity,” it said, while adding that the forcible collection of money by any entity is extortion which is a criminal offence punishable under the laws. “In fact all the Naga armed organisations engaged in the peace process have given a commitment against such collection,” it added.
