Pay no underground ‘tax’, Chümoukedima bodies tell traders

CHÜMOUKEDIMA – Shopkeepers, contractors and other businesses in Chümoukedima have been told by three of the town’s civic bodies not to pay any form of “tax” to individuals or underground groups, as reports surface of cadres seeking money in and around the town at the start of the festive season.

The Chumoukedima Town Youth Organisation (CTYO), the Chumoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Trade Association (CCCTA) and the Chumoukedima Town Council (CTC) made the call in a joint statement issued on Saturday, November 7. They also appealed to all Naga national political groups to make sure their cadres stay away from extortion, intimidation and other anti-social activities, and respect the peace and safety of the public. The statement was first reported by The Morung Express and Eastern Mirror.

Reports of fees demanded from builders

According to the statement, the three organisations had taken note of reports that underground cadres were present within and around Chümoukedima town as the festive season began. They said reports had also reached them from several quarters that cadres from various factions were demanding taxes and fees from construction workers.

The statement did not name any group, say how many such demands had been made, or say where in the town they took place. Nagaland.News has not independently verified the reports.

‘Freedom to operate without fear’

The bodies described Chümoukedima as a peaceful and growing town where both local and non-local businesses have flourished. Every business establishment, they said, must be free to operate without fear or intimidation, and any attempt to disturb that environment or threaten the business community would not be tolerated.

Their instructions to traders went beyond refusing payments. Businesses were also cautioned against raising prices artificially to cash in on the festive rush. Any discrepancy or misunderstanding, the organisations said, should be reported to the competent authority immediately.

The statement did not spell out what action, if any, the bodies would take against those who ignore the appeal.

A resolution from 2014

The CTYO, CCCTA and CTC also reaffirmed the public resolution of “One Government, One Tax”, adopted on February 13, 2014, and asked all concerned to respect what they called the collective decision of the people.

That resolution was adopted at a public meeting in Chümoukedima, the same gathering at which the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland was declared, Eastern Mirror reported at the time. The movement had first drawn crowds at a large public rally in Dimapur on October 31, 2013, against multiple taxation in the commercial hub.

Chümoukedima’s civic and trade bodies have gone back to the resolution several times since:

• December 2016: The CCCTA banned taxation and “Christmas donations” demanded by individuals or groups ahead of the holidays, and asked security agencies to prevent extortion in the area.
• April 2021: The Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town, the town’s traders’ union and civil society groups reaffirmed the 2014 resolution at a joint meeting and said businesses that violate it would face action.
• June 2026: The CTYO declared “zero tolerance” against extortion, illegal taxation and unauthorised monetary demands in the town.

Traders’ bodies elsewhere in Nagaland have taken similar positions. On October 31, the Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries opposed a purported NSCN/FRGN 30-day ultimatum to non-local businesses and asked the state government to act against threats and forced closures. In July, the NNC/FGN itself warned Kohima businesses not to pay monthly contributions to a person it said was not authorised to collect money in its name.

Chümoukedima, on National Highway 29 between Dimapur and Kohima, became a separate district in December 2021, when the old Dimapur district was split into Chümoukedima, Dimapur and Niuland.