Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said the Centre should formulate a policy for the survival of Naga underground groups engaged in ceasefire and peace dialogue with the government.
Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of a function here, Rio while replying to a query on imposition of 'tax' by Naga underground groups on business establishments in the state, asserted that the state government was against imposition of illegal taxation by the underground groups.
Rio also indirectly supported the move of the civil societies in forming the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) in May under the banner of Naga Council Dimapur, raising voices against the continued taxation by the underground groups upon the business community.
"They (the business community) have every reason to get agitated when they are taxed illegally," he said, but at the same time maintained that the Centre should work out a system for sustenance of the underground groups so that the burden does not come upon the people.
"Peace talks and ceasefire between the GoI and Naga underground groups has been going on for 15-16 years and there is no means of sustenance for the groups so how they will survive and the burden is now on the people through imposition of illegal taxation," he said.
