Warns culprits will be booked under NSA
The state government has declared that it would strictly implement the Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGR) and book any culprit involved in extortion under the National Security Act (NSA). This comes in the backdrop of the shutter down strikes called by DCCI and CNCCI against illegal taxation, extortion and harassment faced by the business community in Dimapur.
Addressing media persons in Kohima, deputy chief minister Y Patton, who is also in-charge of Home, asserted that the government would not leave any stone unturned to curb any form of illegal activities in the state.
While urging Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and Confederation of Nagaland Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) to call off the ongoing indefinite shutter down, considering the inconvenience faced by the public, Patton clarified that the activities of extortion should not be labeled as “taxation” but recognized as pure “extortion.”
He revealed that while no public complaints regarding extortion had been lodged, Nagaland Police had registered 85 suo moto cases related to extortion in the past six months. He urged the public to have confidence in the police, assuring that confidentiality of informers would be maintained.
In response to the issue raised, he said the cabinet deliberated on April 26 and decided to urge the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG)/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) to strictly enforce CFGR. The cabinet directed that culprits involved in illegal activities be booked under NSA and detained outside the state, he said.
Following this decision, the DGP of Nagaland initiated action by writing to the Chairman of CFMG/CFSB, highlighting the need to advise various groups to adhere to the CFGR and that “no unauthorised and illegal activities undertaken by the groups vitiated the law-and-order situation in the state and caused unrest in the business community in the state, particularly Dimapur”.
Patton said the staff officer of chairman, CFMG/CFSB responded that such illegal activities had been a cause of concern for some time and was deliberated in several meetings of the CFMG /CFSB in the past, besides been again highlighted to the various groups.
He mentioned that the state government, after carefully examining the charter of demands of the DCCI and the response/clarification of the chairman CFMG/CFSB, was of the opinion that the illegal activities mentioned in the DCCI’s letter were against the relevant laws of the land and would invite appropriate legal action.
As the DCCI had questioned the legality of taxes imposed by the NPGs, he clarified that the state government was fully against any illegal taxation or forcible demand or collection by any group or entity or individual in the State.
He said the GST or any other legal tax was to be paid only to the state government by any business organisation or individual.
He mentioned that only statutory bodies/law enforcement agencies of the state government were empowered to issue summons to anyone in conflict with the law.
As summons by any other group/entity/individual was illegal, he advised aggrieved persons to approach the law enforcing authorities for redressal of their grievances.
The deputy chief minister maintained that the state government did not remain silent on the issue of extortion by multiple groups in Nagaland.
Responding to a query on the steps taken by the state government to tackle the illegal taxation, DGP Rupin Sharma said that CFMG/CFSB chairman had clarified unambiguously that activities undertaken by the groups were illegal and that he had advised them to abide by the CFGR.
He lamented that despite initiatives by the police, civilians and businessmen were not willing to come and report such cases. DGP disclosed Dimapur Police had registered suo moto cases on extortion over the past six months, but the civilians were afraid to come forward because of safety concerns, which too was discussed during the cabinet meeting.
Sharma assured that the Home department and Nagaland Police would prepare a roadmap on how people could be better protected in such cases, admitting that one of the major issues was people not reporting such cases.
He urged the public to trust the police since confidentiality of the individuals would be maintained, while the information shared would be used for investigation.
He revealed that all districts would form anti-extortion teams and special operation teams (SOTs) for quick response.
He said the government had assured to provide infrastructure so that the police could work on a turnaround time. Sharma also sought suggestions from the people to help improve the law and order situation in the state.
Stating that toll-free number 112 could be used to report any illegal activity, the DGP mentioned that individuals could also lodge complaints through the Nagaland Police app Made In Nagaland, or through any social media platform of the department.
On the unsubstantiated reports of uniformed personnel being involved in illegal activities, Sharma reiterated that law was same for all whether uniformed or civilians, and that crime was a crime no matter the perpetrator. He declared that the department did not want any “black sheep” in its fold.
He urged the people to share information if they came across any such case, while cautioning police personnel not to resort to any illegal activities. And in the event of any police personnel found involved, he warned that the department would not show any mercy to the accused.
Asked if there was any specific mention of prevention of illegal taxation/extortion in the CFAGR, he replied that the state was functioning under the Government of India and that it was appropriate to follow the law of the land.
He said ceasefire ground rules were clear on camps, and there was nothing explicit permitting them to commit extortion. “So, we take it as a violation of the law of the land,” he stated.