Dimapur, March 26 (EMN): Akato-led NSCN/GPRN on Saturday issued a clarification on the allegations levelled against it by the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG), saying that it is needed to avoid people being misled by their statement.
The clarification came a day after the WC-NNPG alleged that business community in and around Dimapur town had appealed to the group to ‘round up dubious characters demanding tax and financial assistance in the name of Akato Chophy’, who split from NSCN(R) last year, and that it would punish those collecting tax in the name of Naga national workers.
In a press release, the NSCN/GPRN claimed that the split in NSCN (R) was not because of power tussles, position or monetary benefit but the crack appeared after the group (undivided) made a 'clarion call' to all its members through MIP on May 25 last year to refrain from collecting taxes as everyone was struggling and limping back to its feet because of the lockdown.
It claimed that some didn’t pay heed to the call and “chose to do otherwise, and for which led to rifts within party and which eventually led to a split”.
Stating that the WC-NNPG’s claim of its right to levy taxes and seek donations appear paradoxical and confusing, the NSCN/GPRN asked the group to enlighten which part, section, article or clause of Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR) has authorised it to collect taxes.
“Besides, we also leave it to the wisdom and intelligence of the esteemed and benign CF's office and CF mechanism to ponder upon,” it stated.
On claim of business community’s verbal and written appeal to WC-NNPG to take action on those collecting tax, it asked the group to proof it by producing the request letter in public domain.
The NSCN/GPRN went on to say that as a responsible people's government, it had no desire to hold any grudge or resort to personal attacks and waste time levelling accusation at others but rather do something for the common good.