Uriamghat tax demand linked to identified miscreants, not Naga community: Pijush Hazarika
The Assam Government on Wednesday clarified that the recent incident involving an alleged demand for Rs 110 from households in villages along the Uriamghat border area was the work of a few identified miscreants and should not be associated with the Naga community or the Government of Nagaland.
Replying to a Notice under Rule 54 raised by MLA Nurul Huda in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika said a report from the Superintendent of Police (Border), Golaghat, revealed that two individuals from Hukai Basti in Nagaland’s Niuland district visited Rajapukhuri villages under Uriamghat Police Station on June 23.
They allegedly distributed letters to village headmen directing them to collect Rs 110 per household as House Tax and Census Tax in the name of NSCN/GPRN (Nikki).
Hazarika urged people not to generalise the actions of a handful of anti-social elements or blame the entire Naga community, stressing that such assumptions could harm the long-standing cordial relations between the people of Assam and Nagaland.
The Minister informed the House that the identities of the two accused have been established, but they remain absconding.
The matter has been communicated to the CRPF, neutral forces and the Border Magistrate at Sarupathar, while police and security agencies have intensified search operations, patrolling and surveillance in the border areas.
According to the latest police report, no evidence has emerged to suggest that any money was actually collected from villagers.
Hazarika said the law-and-order situation in the area remains peaceful and is being closely monitored.
Reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to the safety of border residents, the Minister said strict legal action would be taken against those responsible and that measures were being strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.
