NSCN disallows rally against taxation

DIMAPUR, Oct 30  – While the NSCN-IM has decided not to allow the scheduled rally of the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) in Dimapur on October 31, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) has asked all the business organisations in Dimapur to not only close their establishments on that day till the rally is over but also participate physically in it.

The NSCN-IM, in a statement on Tuesday said that the organization has, following its joint council meeting at Hebron on October 28, decided to disallow the proposed rally on October 31 being organised by the so-called ‘banned’ ACAUT just to malign the national cause in the name of unspecified, unabated taxation.

In this connection, it was decided to initiate further necessary steps or measures to obstruct such anti-national designs to murder the long struggle for the national cause, the statement added. The NSCN-IM meeting also reaffirmed the decisions of the joint council meeting held on October 8 to ban the newly floated Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) for its deliberate negation of the principle of the Naga Hoho and the aspirations of the Nagas.

On the other hand, the DCCI stated that it along with all business frontal organisations have unanimously decided to fully support the initiative of ACAUT. The decision follows a joint meeting on Monday, according to a release issued by DCCI president Hokivi Chishi.

As a sign of support towards this noble cause undertaken by ACAUT, the frontal business organisations also decided to down their shutters during the ACAUT rally on October 31. However, the shops will reopen after the rally, the release added.

Moreover, refusing to bow to the pressure, the ACAUT has decided to hold a public awareness rally in Dimapur on October 31. It also started a signature campaign against extortion and illegal taxation from October 23 at City Tower, Dimapur to draw public support to the cause that is affecting the Naga society.

Extending solidarity to ACAUT, the Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) organized a free and voluntary cycle and motorcycle rally in Dimapur on Monday morning.