State deputy chief minister Y Patton, who also holds the Home and roads & bridges portfolios, has assured to initiate strong action against illegal collection at check gates, adding that the police check gate at Chümoukedima too would be strengthened.
Commenting on the issue raised by NPF legislator Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu on the second day of the Assembly session Saturday, that illegal taxes were being collected at check gates by various organisations, including NPGs, Patton told Nagaland Post that he was yet to receive documentary evidence submitted by him in the Assembly on Saturday. However, he warned that stern action would be taken against anyone found involved in such illegal tax collections at the check gates.
When asked whether the newly-formed anti-terror squad or Special Task Force (STF) would be deployed to tackle the menace, Patton replied that the issue was yet to be discussed at the government level.
Explaining that the force could be deployed as and when required, he remarked that this would depend on the gravity of the issue. Azo had on Saturday raised the issue of illegal and legal check gates and multiple taxations by various organisations with proof that was later submitted to the Assembly.
This followed Patton clarifying at NLA that he had no information regarding tax collections at check gates by unauthorised organizations. He, however, assured to take strict action against those carrying out such activities. Replying to a starred question by the NPF MLA regarding the number of both legal and illegal check gates set up between Kohima to Dimapur and Nagaland Gate, Patton informed the House that there was only one police check gate at Chümoukedima, permitted by the home department.
To queries regarding rates of toll fees fixed or collected by the police, traffic, excise, MVI, forest and geology & mining departments, Patton clarified that except geology & mining department – one mineral check gate at Chümoukedima for levying royalty on minor minerals – no other department collected fees. When Azo questioned the legality of the taxes collected at check gates by unauthorized organisations, Patton said there was no information regarding check gates manned by organisations other than the ones mentioned above.
To the claims made by Azo that there was ample evidence and proof of multiple taxations by various organisations at check gates, Patton assured that the government would look into the matter if provided with proper evidence and proof of existence, and initiate strict action against defaulters.