Lahe Naga groups call for an end to multiple tax demands, urging voluntary contributions through a single agreed channel
DIMAPUR — A gathering of Naga organisations in Lahe, Myanmar, has called for an end to multiple “tax” demands and extortion by various Naga political groups on households, shops and markets, maintaining that public contributions to the Naga national movement should remain voluntary.
According to a declaration issued on Wednesday, the meeting held on September 13 at the Naga Cultural Hall brought together representatives of Naga Students’ Organisation (NSO), tribal hohos and the Naga Traditional Literature and Cultural Committee.
They stated that people were being put under pressure when different Naga groups independently approached them for taxes or contributions.
Their proposed answer: one agreed channel for voluntary contributions, rather than separate collections by different factions.
The gathering resolved that no faction or organisation should independently approach homes, shops, markets or individuals to impose taxes or demand contributions. A designated committee or other authorised mechanism should instead collect voluntary contributions and pass them on to the appropriate authorities.
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The meeting also renewed its opposition to the proliferation of Naga factions in ‘Eastern Nagaland,’ recalling a June 13, 2023 statement by the NSO and people of eastern Naga land that opposed any “partition or formation of new factions” in the region.
“The gathering also took note of the new declaration of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – People’s Republic of Nagaland (NSCN-PRN), published on 10 September 2026 and signed by Joseph Naga, which stated that the organisation had been formed in Myanmar,” it stated.
The Lahe gathering asserted that it had no established information about the organisation’s activities or presence in Myanmar and made clear that it would not recognise or encourage further factional formations, particularly in ‘Eastern Nagaland.’
The participants stressed that the Naga national movement had historically relied on voluntary public support, and that the principle should continue.
They appealed to Naga national organisations and factions to respect the people’s position, stop direct or coercive collection of taxes and contributions, and work towards a common system.
The gathering also urged the various Naga groups to unite under one umbrella in the larger interest of the Naga national movement.