Nagaland: FGN Chakhesang region rejects claims, flays extortion in Phek

Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) Chakhesang region has strongly reacted to a rejoinder by one Sekuto Shijoh, who claimed to be midan peyu of FGN Chakhesang region and opposed the Phek Town Public Forum (PTPF)’s call to put on hold all taxation to multiple factions with effect from 2026. In a press release, FGN Chakhesang region midan peyu, Kamucho Chuzho, stated that Sekuto Shijoh did not hold the post of midan peyu in Chakhesang region of FGN. Chuzho said FGN, as the legitimate agency of NNC, has always opposed taxation/extortion by factions.
The midan peyu emphasised that the only legitimate authority to collect taxes was the FGN, which operated on voluntary goodwill and donations from the people for the nation’s welfare—not through force.
He said the sole obligatory payment for any Naga citizen was the nominal annual membership fee of the NNC. Stating that “taxation” was foreign to Nagas, Chuzho said history showed Nagas fought against any power imposing taxes, viewing it as slavery. He said FGN was established on the republican ethos of traditional Naga village republics, where each region, tribe, community, village, and individual has a say in governance.
FGN Chakhesang region affirmed that PTPF was exercising its republican right under the federal republic of Nagaland by voicing opposition to extortion disguised as tax by factions. It warned that if Sekuto Shijoh and his group continued to oppose the people they claim to protect, they would have to face the FGN before harming the public of Chakhesang region or Phek town.
FGN Chakhesang region said that such groups were not NNC/FGN but factions or “gangs of marauders” robbing people’s livelihood while posing as freedom fighters.
Chuzho said the true NNC was led by president Adinno Phizo; the FGN was headed by Kezha Angami. Chuzho said it neither recognised Sekuto Shijoh as midan peyu of Chakhesang region. FGN Chakhesang region asserted that anyone going against the family, livelihood, property, liberty, and justice of any bona fide Naga citizen was an enemy of God and the Naga nation. FGN affirmed that it stood for God, family, and country, adding that it defends the nation, not fights for it. FGN Chakhesang Region reiterated its commitment to protect Naga citizens from extortion and threats in the name of the national cause.