Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd)
The local dailies have sufficiently introduced all aspects of the historical progression of the Naga’s struggle for independence, starting from NNC and the aftermath fragmentation into so many warring factions. Rather than focus our undivided attention and effort against a stronger adversary with a united resolve, we have so far only been able to structure an implosive mechanism for self-destruction. A Frankenstein has been effectively nurtured into maturity in our midst without exercising our rational minds or raising our voices.
The front page headlines: “Dimapur resolves to pay only ‘one tax’” (Nagaland Post 28th May 2013), “Don’t pay tax till issue resolved: ACAUT” (Nagaland Post 29th May 2013) was an encouraging piece of news showing semblance of an awakening society. Without doubt this is a small step in the right direction. However, the Nagas are still not fully awake. The resolution to pay ‘only one tax to any one faction of the underground groups’ still mean that if a demand is received, the same “one tax” will have to be paid to 8(eight) factions: (1) NNC (Accordist); (2) NNC (Non-Accordist);(3) FGN(Pro-Accordist); (4)FGN(Anti-Accordist); (5) NSCN (IM); (6) NSCN (K); (7) NSCN (Unification); (8) GPRN/NSCN at Khehoi. Even if such tax demands come in from three of four factions the basic problem remain unaltered. Let’s paint a more graphic picture of the end result of the resolution adopted by Dimapur Civil Societies: Assume that if 5% tax is paid to one faction the remainder will charge the same rate as a matter of their equity rights. The tax payer will have no choice but to shell out an average of 5%x8 factions = 40%. Now, I have yet to hear of anyone running a business with a ‘loss’ motivation. Have you? No business can successfully survive with such an exorbitant percentage being charged unless this burden is passed on to someone else… the consumer. As an individual you pay tax to whichever faction that come to your door and continue to pay camouflaged tax that is passed on to you for every commodity that you purchase from the shops. At the end of the day the consumers, i.e. you and I, are the ones who ultimately bear the tax burden by reimbursing the tax paid to the factions by the businessmen. This is precisely what happens every day. This is precisely the reason you complain about the undue price rise. If this was not so, all business houses without exception, would have downed their shutters by now. It would have been considered tolerable and even acceptable if each faction was dealing with a separate unrelated agenda that the other factions are handling, concerning our welfare for which tax is being levied. However, this is certainly not the case. The subject of Sovereignty is a common aspiration and a common objective of all the factions in theory. The most damning aspect is the hypocritical manner in which the factions are pretending to be striving to achieve this goal.
At the cost of repetition let us review the main issue once more: We have 8 (eight) factions all claiming that they are struggling for sovereignty. With this public consumption facade, all are seriously engaged in raising various kinds of taxes from the people. It means that all the other Districts along with Dimapur will be paying ‘one tax’ to eight factions for the same purpose. How sensible does this sound? The public has absolutely no knowledge as to how these taxes are being utilized. There is no forum which can demand accountability from the gun toting self seekers. As a result the factional leaders and their henchmen have been busying themselves accumulating wealth. Since the stinking rot is so deeply integrated within their system, there is absolutely no one amongst them to check the corruption within their respective organizations. After all one is as guilty as the next. There will surely be a devastating volcanic eruption if the monetary and property holdings of the rank and file of all the factional setup are minutely accounted for, for a corrective measure. Since we, the public, have had no courage to question what is going on for fear of the guns, the factions are thriving like leeches on the blood and sweat of the people without any compunction. Sovereignty indeed! Look at the references being made in the local papers about the various licensing policies of the factions, the new innovative system of dealership, monopolization of poultry dealership in Dimapur and so on. This is precisely how the Mafia system expanded from bootlegging and spread its tentacles into every walk of life in the USA. Do the citizens not see that for the factions “Sovereignty” is just another word, just another mirage in the horizon being used as an umbrella to perpetuate Mafia regime of the factional leaders. It is in full flow in Nagaland too. This is our reality. The saddest truth is that we the people are responsible for allowing such a development to evolve. What Edmund Burke said rings true as I had reflected in my earlier writings: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. We are the so called good men doing nothing and therefore we have inadvertently allowed this downright pathetic stupidity to flourish for all these 66 years. Don’t you think it is about time for the Nagas to take a collective stand and demand that: (1) “All factional leaders including the rank and file must first declare their assets to the tax payers before further tax is levied”?. There has to be transparency and accountability in any civilized society especially in a Christian society that proclaims “Nagaland for Christ”. It is the most honorable thing to do. Further, in order to rid ourselves of this pathetic factional nightmare, every breathing Naga must pluck up courage to insist that: (2) “We shall only pay one tax for one united movement. All taxation should be suspended until this one United Organization is established to lead us forward”. Experience clearly certifies that the factional leaders will never unite if the matter is left to them alone. Their present lifestyle of comforts and conveniences is well and truly served by disunity. There is a serious concern in everyone’s mind that even if NSCN (IM) settles the dialogue with the GOI, if they maintain a superiority complex without an inclusive intentions, lasting peace will still remain an elusive dream as long as the other factions exist. Through this clarion call therefore, Nagas can induce UNITY among the factions to happen.
People of Nagaland, be forewarned that the road we are travelling today leads us to nowhere other than self-destruction. The message here is that masses must now find the courage to stand together at all cost to first set our house in order if we hope to ask the factions to unite. This is the only remedy to induce reformation and unity and rid ourselves of this festering sore. This is the only remedy to bring back the focus on sovereignty. This is the only remedy to force the hands of all the factions to bury their personal greed, egos and differences for a National cause.
Frontal Organizations, Civil Societies and Church Organizations do we have the courage to see this through?
