ZUF warns NSCN-IM to stop collecting taxes
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 18 2023:
The armed Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has warned National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) cadres to stop collecting taxes and extorting the public along National Highway-37 immediately.
As per a statement released by the Front's Ministry of Information and Publicity Media Cell, the activities of NSCN-IM have not only affected the trading community but also the people in general.
As such, a huge section of the masses has called for the Front to take note of the matter.
It continued that the conscience of the society has been suppressed by gun and crime culture.
Village authorities and villagers are being threatened and oppressed by NSCN-IM.
Everyone is well aware of NSCN-IM's entry to Zeliangrong areas and forced tax collection from NF Railway, extortion and threats to the people.
NSCN-IM does not have the power to do the same in Nagaland or other areas, it said.
The statement continued that fear and violence can never bring peace to the society.
Zeliangrong and other closely related tribes have been facing the suppression for a long time.
As such, the Front warned NSCN-IM cadres residing in or near villages along NH-37, and NF railway to relocate from the said settlements.
Any consequences resulting from failing to heed this warning will be the sole responsibility of the cadres.
Cautioning that ZUF will no longer watch the NSCN-IM cadres act as they please, the Front said that similar cautionary had already been intimated to the relevant CSOs in the region.
In connection with this, ZUF had announced restriction on the movement of NSCN-IM cadres in the area during a handing over ceremony of three NSCN-IM cadres on July 31.The statement then explained that the notification was issued as a cautionary for all village authorities and people in the region.
The Front will continue its defensive operation to clear all anti-social elements from the society, it said, while appealing to the public to support the Front's initiatives.