Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has expressed doubts over the motive behind various ceasefire agreements signed by various Naga political groups with the government of India (GoI), since the ceasefire ground rules permit carrying of arms, which can be easily misused to intimidate and coerce the public.
BAN said that it was instituted under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur in 2013 to primarily look into the security and welfare of business community and promoting Naga entrepreneurs, while building robust economy and generating employment in the State.
BAN, in a statement, alleged that the cadres of various armed groups under ceasefire were interfering with trade and commerce activities and collecting taxes from various business houses, instead of remaining confined to their designated camps.
BAN said that unabated taxation by Naga political groups and the multiple taxes on every consumer item had exceeded all tolerable limits.
It wondered whether the Centre had given the CF signatories the licence to collect rations and expenses in the name of taxation. BAN reiterated that the Naga public mandate was for “One Government, One Tax” as declared on October 31, 2013.
Further, BAN also pointed out that indirect taxation levied on every commodity multiple times had an adverse effect on the poorest of the poor living in both rural and urban areas of Nagaland. It wondered that when tax was paid to the government, why government machineries could not be deployed efficiently to curb this menace going around rampantly?.
BAN also asserted that it was the legitimate duty and responsibility of the government to instil confidence among entrepreneurs and assure security for all businesses by ensuring rule of law,. It said therefore, appealed to the state machinery to deal with such elements befittingly as per the law of the land.
BAN said the lockdown had affected almost all businesses, especially trading, transport, essential commodities, restaurants and hotels, event management and rentals, constructions, etc.
According to BAN, many businesses had closed, while others were on the brink of closure and warned that if entrepreneurship was finished, thousands of employees in the unorganised private sector would be left jobless. BAN said Naga business owners for the first time, in their life are facing such a devastating pandemic while the whole supply chain, from production to marketing, has been brought to grinding halt and the suffering of the business community is excruciating.
Under such circumstances, BAN said the continued unreasonable demands from the armed groups was like the last straw that would break the entrepreneurial spirit of a small emerging group of local young people, who preferred to live a dignified life with their sweat and toil.
BAN alleged that extortion that was being operated like a well-oiled machinery has dodged all surveillance of government agencies and was the only “obnoxious industry” that seemed to be thriving during these unprecedented times. BAN also red flagged use of juveniles as informants and for collecting taxes which it said was another disturbing trend than should be stopped immediately.
BAN reminded that the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Charkroma Public Organisation (Chümoukedima Circle), Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chümoukedima Chamber of Trade and Commerce Association, Sovima Village Council and Darogapathar Village Council have all stood up against unabated taxation at the right time and for which it(BAN) extended its full support and endorsement for this “collective cause of our society”.
It pointed out that the Covid-19 global pandemic of nearly two years now had negatively impacted the economy as the first-generation local entrepreneurs in Nagaland were the most persecuted lot due to these unsolicited taxes and pandemic.
Meanwhile, BAN also shared mobile numbers 8837428416, 9862259701, 7005287241, 9436012590 and 9863861450 for its members to contact for addressing their grievances.