The sound of silence

Veroli Zhimo

No section of the society is immune to the suffering inflicted by the cumulative failure of successive governments in Nagaland. The Naga people’s experience with governments and governance following the creation of the state of Nagaland reflects decay that goes beyond corruption in the system.

To that end, the recent economic blockade called by associations of truck drivers and owners from Nagaland and neighbouring Assam highlighted one of the pitfalls in the path to progress and development.

The blockade started on September 29, demanding safety of transporters and payment of ex-gratia (by favour) to the family of the Assam-based trucker, Jiten Gogoi, who was shot dead in Dimapur on September 22. It was lifted after four days on October 2 evening.

The motive behind the shooting is still unclear but it has been largely attributed to ‘illegal taxation’ allegedly by Naga Political Groups (NPGs).

Illegal taxation is a phrase that has conveniently explained away the high cost of goods in the state against which the common person has no means to fend off.

For years, transporters have complained of burgeoning illegal taxation in Dimapur. The chain of taxation, both illicit as well as statutory, allegedly begins at the two inter-state check posts in Dimapur, with trucks being the target of choice.

On most occasions, the additional financial burden incurred by truckers is reimbursed or borne by the traders in Dimapur, for whom the truckers ferry goods. The incidence or burden of tax, however, is eventually shifted to the consumers in the form of higher prices.

Transporters stranded in Lahorijan during the blockade told this newspaper that no less than Rs 28,000 thousand is allegedly incurred as additional ‘tax’ expenses per trip starting from the New Field Check post to Mao Gate till Imphal. 

Each truck, upon entry to Dimapur, has to pay to a minimum of 5 groups, amounts ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 as well as ‘Good Tax’ of Rs 5,500. The ‘Goods Tax’ on 12-wheelers and 14-wheelers is Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000, respectively. 

This is exclusive of the yearly tax paid in terms of lakhs as ‘Godown Tax.’ 

The government agencies, it was reported, too join in, collecting Rs 200-300 as “Gate Pass/Entry Tax” at every entry or police check post.  

But in truth, these are not new revelations.

Several civil organisations in the past and present have been drawing attention to these illegal taxes and shouting from rooftops that the astronomical transport cost is recovered from you and I.

That such practices have gone unchecked is criminal on the part of the administration whose crucial role, among others, is to better the lives of the common people.

On October 5, the Dimapur Police announced a move that will hopefully bring some respite— provision of ‘armed escorts’ for transport vehicles entering the state through the Dellai Check Gate and New Field Check Gate in Dimapur. 

However, why should it take a tragic death to drive home that point that rampant illegal taxation should be checked? It is the job of the district administration to prevent tax collections at undesignated check gates. It does not need to be told or pushed to do so! 

More notably, the State Government chose to stay indecipherably quiet when the driver was shot dead and through the course of the four-day economic blockade on an already crumbling state economy.

Will the sound of silence continue to echo down the corridors of power once again or will a stand finally be taken?

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