UKHRUL: A public gathering and meeting held at the Naga Cultural Hall in Lahe on September 13 called for an end to multiple taxation and direct collection of contributions from households, shops and markets, while reaffirming the participants’ position against the proliferation of new Naga factions in Eastern Nagaland, Myanmar.
The meeting, according to a release, was attended by representatives and members of the Naga Students’ Organization, Tribal Hohos and the Naga Traditional Literature and Cultural Committee.
According to a declaration issued after the meeting, participants discussed the difficulties faced by the people due to multiple taxation demands, extortion and approaches by different Naga factions seeking taxes or contributions independently from the public.
The gathering reaffirmed a position contained in a joint statement issued by the Naga Students’ Organization and people of Eastern Naga Land on June 13, 2023, particularly its call for “no partition or formation of new factions in Eastern Nagaland, Myanmar.”
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The participants said they did not recognise or encourage the proliferation of new factions formed in front of the present generation. They said their political position remained committed to established Naga authorities and organisations that existed before the present generation, while noting that the history and status of organisations predating the present generation required separate consideration.
The meeting also took note of a declaration issued by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland–People’s Republic of Nagaland (NSCN-PRN) on September 10 and signed by Joseph Naga, which stated that the organisation was formed in Myanmar.
The participants said they had no established information regarding the organisation’s movement or activities in Myanmar and that its presence and activities were unknown to them.
The gathering consequently stated that it would not recognise or encourage the further formation of new Naga factions in Myanmar, particularly in Eastern Nagaland.
On taxation and public contributions, the meeting resolved that no faction or organisation should independently approach homes, shops, markets or individuals to impose taxes or demand contributions.
Instead, it called for voluntary contributions to be made through a proper and agreed channel, with a designated committee or authorised mechanism responsible for collecting and forwarding the contributions to the appropriate authorities.
The participants said the Naga national movement had historically depended on voluntary public support and contributions and that the principle should continue to guide the relationship between the people and the Naga national movement.
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The declaration called upon Naga national organisations and factions to respect the decision of the people, refrain from direct or coercive collection of taxes or contributions, and cooperate with an agreed system of voluntary contribution.
The participants also called for greater unity among Naga national groups, urging them to come together under one umbrella “for the greater cause” of the Naga national movement.
The declaration said its objective was to reduce the burden faced by the Naga people while preserving the principle of voluntary public support for the Naga national cause.
The declaration was signed by the president of the Naga Students’ Organization and the chairman of the Naga Traditional, Literature and Cultural Committee, Lahe.
