NSCN-K vows to check extortion

DIMAPUR: The NSCN(K) has resolved to stop all forms of extortion by various underground groups and social organizations and urged all sections of the Naga society to come forward to bring an end to the menace.
Immediately after taking charge of the outfit's 'Chaplee' (finance) ministry, Kughalu Mulatonu said his group has taken up the responsibility of combating extortion because the government alone could not tackle the menace.
Without naming any outfit, Mulatonu, who's also the envoy of the NSCN(K)'s collective leadership, claimed that several "non-Naga organizations" were collecting illegal taxes and extorting traders in Dimapur and other areas. He added, "Extortion has to be stopped at any cost for the sake of the Naga cause."
Talking to mediapersons after a joint coordination meeting of the NSCN(K) and the Naga National Coucil (NNC) at the former's designated camp in the Khehoi area, Mulatonu said he would take up the issue with the state government and the Centre. "We will approach the Ceasefire Supervisory Board to take action against organizations indulging in extortion. If it fails, we will take action against such groups. Taxes have to be collected for the Naga movement. But one has to check illegal collection of taxes" he asserted.
Mulatonu said the NSCN(K) would go through all challans and authorization letters issued by its rival group, the NSCN(I-M). "We may also file cases internationally against the NSCN(I-M) for carrying out extortion in Nagaland," he warned.
Expressing concern over collection of "taxes" by various Naga social organizations, he said, "We will not spare any such group. It's time to cleanse the Naga society. Nobody should be burdened with taxes collected illegally by social organizations."
Asked about "taxes" collected by Naga outfits, including the underground Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), Mulatonu said, "Though it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the NSCN(K), the two groups have not been merged. The FGN is not authorized to collect any tax. Besides, if the FGN is not part of the Shillong Accord and has separate organizations, they should come forward and work together for the Nagas."