Hundreds of Nagas participated in AYO rally against illicit taxation

Kohima: Braving heavy downpour, hundreds of people converged at the state’s capital Kohima to participate in a public rally against ongoing illegal taxation, harassment, intimidation, and death threats faced by common citizens.

Organized by the Angami Youth Organization, the public rally was to protest the death threat issued to a local contractor by the NSCN (Khango) group, who failed to meet their demands. The rally was held at Old MLA Hostel junction, Phoolbari, Kohima.
Various speakers during the rally expressed their resentment against unabated illegal taxation, exhortations, threats and intimidations meted to the citizens.

“We, as a people have been tolerant enough all these years. We cannot continue to live under threat and intimidation in our homeland. What have the Naga national workers become today? We have the most ungrateful, un-trusted Naga national workers today,” were the words voiced out by various speakers.

They also strongly voiced out against supporting any NNPGs when they have deviated from the principle of nationalism, especially when the barrels are turned against their own people over taxations. “Nagas have created our Frankenstein monster,” one speaker lamented.

“Today, we have come together to speak for each other, to stand for our inherent rights that has been preserved by our forefathers. This is a war of the youth against illegal unabated taxations, and before the storm comes, it is best to amend and rectify, otherwise the supreme will of the people will prevail,” another speaker underscored.

There were also questions on the sincerity of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB) Chairman, while accusing him of fiddling with Nagaland when it is burning because of unabated taxations.

Strongly condemning the ongoing taxations and extortions placed on hardworking common people, AYO President, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, in his opening remarks, maintained that any financial contributions made by the public to the NNPGs were intended for the Naga nation, not for them to wield their weapons to threaten and intimidate the common people.

Citing the proliferation of multiple factions as one of the ‘biggest’ business in Naga society today, Ltu called for an end to the formation of any new factions adding ‘enough of new factions. We only want one faction and not multiple factions.’

He also strongly asserted against the usage of Nagaland for Christ and Naga nationalism and refrain from politicising the Naga issue for political mileage. “If you don’t have anything positive to contribute, keep silent, we don’t want your comment. We, the public will handle,” stated Ltu.

To the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB), he pointed out that there are no free-will donations or contributions, but in reality are ‘forceful contributions.’

Ltu reminded that ‘our’ forefathers have not fought and sacrifice for the current state of affairs, but the aspirations and dreams of the Nagas for ‘One Nation, One People’ gave birth to Naga nationalism, and not for taxations and extortions.

Acknowledging the support and participation of all the people, irrespective of tribes, Ltu emphasised unity as the biggest strength of the Naga people today, and assured of AYO’s commitment to support and cooperate for any initiatives, follow-ups and actions under any circumstances.