NSCN (IM) calls for 12 hour shutdown in Nagaland

The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim or the NSCN (IM) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in all Naga-inhabited areas from the midnight of August 2, protesting against Centre’s silence

The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim or the NSCN (IM) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in all Naga-inhabited areas from the midnight of August 2, protesting against Centre’s silence on the Framework Agreement.

The Naga group has announced closure of shops and business establishments in all Naga-inhabited areas till August 3. They further appealed to people, business groups, regional authorities, and civil society organisations to observe the shutdown.

The NSCN (IM) has been holding negotiations with the central government since 1997 and the two sides signed a Framework Agreement in August 2015.

Attempts at bringing about a lasting peace in Nagaland have been stalled since June with NSCN (IM) opposing a bid by the central government from stopping it from collecting taxes.

The Central government had declared that taxation is the sovereign right of the government and money collected by Naga groups as taxes amounted to extortion.

In a statement, the NSCN(IM) said, Six years down the line, there is no positive response yet from the Government of India.

The Naga group expressed dismay that the Centre was yet to fulfil its commitment to the Naga peace process as made in the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015.

(With inputs from PTI)

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