Thousands of people from various Naga communities gathered in Kohima on Tuesday protesting multiple taxation by Naga Political Groups (NPGs).
Nagaland has a practice of illegal taxation extorted from various people by different militant groups.
The public rally organized by the Angami Youth Organization (AYO) at Kohima town. AYO President Kesosul Christopher Ltu pointed to recent death threats to contractors that led to the public outrage.
LTU demanded that NPGs engaging in such demands be booked under the National Security Act. A memorandum was later submitted to Nagaland Governor La Ganesan. Signed by AYO President Kesosul Christopher Ltu and General Secretary Neidilhoutuo Sechü.
It referred to recent threats, including a “capital punishment” warning issued to the local contractor by the NSCNK Khango group, which is currently under a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government.The memorandum noted that these contentious issues are to be resolved by the Ceasefire Monitoring Group /Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB).The AYO demanded immediate action against the NSCNK Khango group for its violation of ceasefire norms. They called for the withdrawal of the death threat and the directive to contractors and suggested that continued violations should result in the abrogation of the ceasefire with the offending group and legal action under the National Security Act of 1980. Spokesperson of the Nagaland Government and Minister for Power & Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye recently stated that the State Government of Nagaland has taken notice of the death threats and capital punishment issued to a contractor.
He informed that an FIR was promptly registered against the NSCN (Khango) and its functionaries under appropriate sections of law for this crime.
The Nagaland government spokesperson then said that the State Government had previously made clear in response to the “shutterdown” initiated by the business community of Nagaland in April 2024 that any acts of threat or coercion, whether by factions in ceasefire or otherwise, are criminal offenses and will be dealt with according to the law. “The State Government reiterates the same and will ensure peace and tranquility in Nagaland which is essential for economic development and prosperity”, he added.
Kenye also said that the State Government has taken up the matter with the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board to ensure that the NSCN (Khango) faction and other groups adhere strictly to the ground rules of the ceasefire.