It was among the biggest ever gathering in recent times, when several thousands (estimated at around forty thousand by the organizers) from all sections of society, showed up to express support and solidarity with the campaign against unabated taxations in Dimapur, spearheaded by Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT).
After invocation prayers by WSBAK executive secretary Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu, ACAUT co-convenor Joel Nillo gave an account on the formation of ACAUT and subsequent activities including appeals to the state government and Naga Political Groups (NPGs) over “unabated taxations” but which came to nought.
Joel stressed on the importance of “economic sovereignty” since Nagas were no longer in control of the economy.
He said unless syndicates and dealership systems were done away, no local entrepreneur could sell even broiler chicken without paying tax.
Retired bureaucrat K. Khekiye Sema, fired up the gathering with his hard-hitting speech which he began with a quote by Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.
He lauded the thousands gathered at the rally for making the beginning of a movement and sentiment towards “the change we want in Nagaland” and appealed to all not to abdicate their responsibility in participating in rallies.
Khekiye reiterated that public had not gathered to confront with any faction but to reason with them. He described factions and the state government as- “one takes with guns, the other, with pens for supply and work orders”.
He said chief minister might warn all government servants to be “corruption less” but Khekiye said it should begin from CMO down to the peon.
Khekiye asked the government of Nagaland to hear that people want “ a clean administration”. He rued that there are not “eight but nine” groups to whom public was paying tax to- eight Naga national groups and state government.
Stating that taxes were collected everywhere in everything and anything, Khekiye asserted that public was ready to pay tax only when it was legal and to one government.
Amid thunderous applause, he shouted, “are we fighting for our independence just so we all die? What use is sovereignty when all in Nagaland die?” He said he was amazed and surprised that Nagas in other districts did not have the guts to say “enough is enough” like ACAUT.
“Are there no men folk in other districts?”, he asked. He said if tribal hohos in other districts had the sense of responsibility, why could they not set up ACAUT in their district to allow “this voice to grow?”
Khekiye challenged the public to make the 2013 campaign go beyond Dimapur to other districts, so that it could be like a second plebiscite.
He said Naga national movement gained momentum because it was endorsed and supported by the people.
While lauding those Naga Political Groups that had started a political dialogue, Khekiye asked what role was NPF and Congress playing? On debates between “equi-closeness” and “equi-distance” he asked what was the use when both parties have done nothing?
Khekiye maintained that people of Nagaland have a responsibility to hold a “serious Naga rally” without factions and state government, to let the government of India know that Nagas want “ a solution” and were “tired of being fooled”.
Khekiye said Nagas support “ those groups” who have made it a point to settle the Naga problem as people cannot continue to live under “pressure all the time”.
T. Solo: President Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) Thepfulhouvi Solo, in his brief speech, said he had not come to talk politics and was loudly cheered when he said that Nagas would not pay tax “ if collected by guns”.
He said no nation ever collected tax through guns but through the pen adding “ the pen is mightier than the gun”.
He said if guns were meant to be used in battlefields against enemies, why were they used against brothers or to threaten youth, women and children and to extort money? In a lighter vein, he said national workers, organizations and DMC did not commit mistakes knowingly but only unknowingly.
He therefore advised ACAUT not to commit “mistakes unknowingly” and to remain focussed on its objectives and not to mingle in politics.
NCD: President Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) T. Bangerloba welcomed the speakers and also lauded people who turned up to make it the “biggest rally ever” in the venue. Bangerloba asserted that the objective of ACAUT was to streamline rules and procedures for taxation and exuded confidence that the movement would one day achieve its goal.
NMA: Representing Naga Mothers Association, Rosemary Dzüvichu said women and mothers were the most affected by unabated taxation.
She also disclosed that NMA members put forth their views at a meeting the NSCN (I-M) in Hebron with regard to the ACAUT issue. She emphasised that there should be freedom of expression, thought and action and “ no unwarranted threats and no more bloodshed”.
Z. Lohe: Former NLA speaker Z. Lohe in his speech said though late, formation of ACAUT was right and urged people to extend cooperation. He also said the opposition against the public rally caused tension and admitted he was initially apprehensive of “being killed by bullets” but that he overcame the fear to attend the rally.
NVCO: Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organisation (NVCO) president Kezhokhto Savi blamed the state government for failing to tackle illegal taxation that led to price rise.
ENPO: Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) vice president Sashi Naga said Nagaland was becoming a land of “no laws” and expressed support for any initiatives launched for the welfare of the people.
NSF general secretary Esther Rhakho and Naga Blog member Yanpvuo Kikon and others. Earlier on Wednesday evening, there was apprehension among public in the light of various speculations.
In response, authorities deployed massive security blanket around Dimapur town from Wednesday evening with columns of IRB, police and Assam Rifles. The venue itself was sanitized by bomb squads and later guarded by IRB and police.
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