On September 16,2021 entire business in Dimapur will be closed for the day as a mark of protest against rampant extortion by multiple groups in Dimapur -closure announced on September 11 by the Dimapur District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). In solidarity the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has decided to pitch in with a call for a statewide bandh on the day. The problem of illegal extortion imposed under specious pretexts of having the mandate of the people and their consent is that it has gone out of control. The DCCI and other organizations have been crying out to the state government to stop this terrible crime that seeks to find legitimacy under Naga political issue. Those who have been fighting against the extortion menace since the past decades should be lauded not only for highlighting the issue but even exposing themselves to notorious hit-men of the extortion mafia. There are not less than nine outfits involved in forcible tax collection. These outfits collect road taxes at check gates on trucks on the basis of number of tyres in each truck. If a truck has more tyres such as -6, to 10 to 12- the amount of tax demanded is consequently higher. This is again not the end, since the outfits again imposed godown tax where the goods are stored and then sales tax after goods are taken to the shops. Later at retail shops, the goods are again taxed. Livestock tax is also imposed by the veterinary & animal husbandry by syndicate dealers appointed by NPGs. Those who are also collecting unauthorised taxes include unions, association, truckers, DMC and NPGs. Dealers are appointed for various items and they are to pay some amount to the ‘appointing authority’ and only through them (dealers) can goods can be sold in the market. Also if any one wants to sell a brand of a product, it cannot be allowed since the particular product has to be purchased from the appointed dealer. There are also tax on labour as registration and construction works at sites. This is in addition to tax /extortion imposed on contractors’ bills when payments are released. Sometimes, the taxes are collected in advance on percentage over the estimated contract amount. Trade and business in Dimapur are mostly run by non-local entrepreneurs. The one-day strike by the DCCI is welcome but it should be more than mere tokenism. The business people are dying under the weight of tons of goods which are not allowed to ply because of the bad road. The DCCI should also rope in all other CSOs and NGOs at Dimapur and other district headquarters in order to bring to a close the unending demand for ‘taxes’ . On the other hand, the state government, whether present or past, are not ignorant about the deadly effect on the socio-economy of the people. The grievous harm done on the state economy by these illegal taxes, is well known. However, the state government is either unwilling or incapable of curbing the extortion menace but prefers to emphasise on its role as facilitators for solution. Anything is being made acceptable under the pretext of Naga political issue but unfortunately, this will boomerang on the state and its people.