Naga rebel groups ban collection of money

Kohima, Dec 17 : The leaders of three Naga rebel groups, the NSCN-K, Naga National Council (NNC) and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), have announced that collection of money have been banned till the proper taxation policy is formulated and announced by the outfits.

A press note, issued by the publicity wings of the three groups, said ''All the three groups are united now after the unconditional merging of the NNC group led by Brig (Retd) S Singnya in the Monyakshu Conclave in Mon district of Nagaland on July 15 and the unconditional merger of the FGN group led by its president Senka and General Secretary V Nagi by a joint declaration on December 14 at the Kehoi Designated Camp under Dimapur district.'' In a release issued, the three outfits also agreed that the immediate task was to control the spiralling demands and donations on the business community by various anti-social elements throughout the state, especially in and around Dimapur town.

They stated the leadership of the NSCN (K), NNC and FGN had expressed serious concern over the reports of rampant taxation and donations being collected from shopkeepers and business establishments by individuals, gangs and criminals posing as representatives of political groups.

They said that keeping in mind the burden faced by the public, the leaders of the outfits have informed all concerned that henceforth, till proper taxation policy is formulated and announced by the signatories of the declaration, collecting donation of any kind or taxation on shopkeepers and business establishments, whether by civil or military workers, is strictly prohibited.

Stating that any demand for donation, may be considered as illegal and unauthorised and cautioned that any national worker or non-national worker, indulging in anti-national activities, shall be liable for stringent punishment.

The NSCN-IM has also notified all individuals, organisations, society, group, and others against collecting money in the form of donation, taxes and any other form of collections without the knowledge of the NSCN.

The Secretary of Mines and Mineral of the Government of Peoples Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) of NSCN-IM Ngaranmi Jagoi warned that any individuals, organisation, group and society found indulging in such ways shall be penalised.