On June 23, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak Muviah (NSCN-IM) said, the Union government opposing taxations by the outfit instantly violates the Framework Agreement wherein the two entities have agreed to coexist peacefully as two different entities sharing sovereign power, reports Northeast NOW.
It further said that, opposing the Naga tax is nothing short of obstructing the Naga political movement and to let the Naga people be enslaved by India. As per the Framework Agreement, the Nagas are the masters of their own lands both below and above. “So, why should India interfere in the internal matter of the sovereign Naga people?” it asked.
The outfit issued the release in response to Nagaland Governor and interlocutor for Naga talks RN Ravi’s statement on June 21 that the Indian government does not recognize collection of tax by any other entity other than by it or a state government. He also said that the forcible collection of money by any entity is extortion, which is a criminal offence punishable under the laws.
The NSCN(IM) said, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) collected taxes to support the Naga people’s political movement, which had started in 1929 even before India attained independence from the British and it is highly unbecoming of the Governor who is “desperately trying to criminalize” the Naga political movement by questioning its right to taxation.