GUWAHATI: The Isak-Muivah faction of major Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) on Saturday decided to reduce its annual ‘tax’ collection from employees of the Nagaland government from 24 per cent to 12 per cent.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM said a decision to this effect was taken “in view of the plight of common Naga people and to ease off the burden of taxpayers”. The NSCN-IM requested “every responsible individual” to cooperate.
The tax is allegedly deducted at source. Earlier, every employee was required to pay 24 per cent of his or her one month’s salary as ‘tax’ to the NSCN-IM once a year. The annual tax is also required to be paid to three other outfits including NSCN (Khaplang) or NSCN-K, NSCN (Reformation) and NSCN (KN).
Sources in defence sector said that an employee of Nagaland government is required to pay around 40 per cent of his or her one month’s salary to the insurgent groups annually. “If an employee draws a salary of Rs 50,000, he or she will have to pay Rs 20,000 to the groups once a year,” the sources explained. Traders are also required to pay the yearly tax and it is determined based on their business volume.
Central government employees working in the state have been exempted from it, but they are required to pay the annual ‘house tax’ which varies from Rs 120 to Rs 150 and is collected by each group. The locals are also required to pay the house tax.
The NSCN-IM has been in peace mode since its signing of a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997. One of its most contentious demands is the creation of a greater Naga homeland, called Greater Nagaland by slicing off the Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur besides Myanmar. The neighbouring states have opposed the demand.