People in Nagaland protest against illegal taxation

Frustrated by the practice of illegal tax collection by various Naga outfits, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), the people of Nagaland expressed their anger through protests.

They have been demanding an end to illegal taxation, as the militant outfits run a parallel government in the state.

The Action Committee against Unabated taxation (ACAUT) was formed in 2013 under the aegis of the Naga Council to take up the issue of multiple taxation, price rise and other such problems concerning the people.

It has been reaching out to the various underground groups for a peaceful resolution of the taxation issue.

However, recently the NSCN (IM) issued a declaration stating that it would cease to engage in dialogue with the ACAUT.

"This business of banning and stopping dialogue with anybody that raises an issue, voice or question and silencing by way of threat is certainly not the best way to solve any kind of problem and therefore we would request NSCN(IM) to rethink what they have done and said," said Rosemary Dziivichii, Member, ACAUT.