The National People’s Youth Front (NPYF), Youth Wing of the NPP (National People’s Party), on Wednesday expressed its “grave concern and strong resentment” over what it called “the continued operation of illegal toll gates and the collection of unauthorized taxes by various Town Councils, specifically the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and the East Dimapur Town Council (EDTC), in blatant defiance of standing government orders.”
The NPYF said that, despite a comprehensive blanket ban imposed by the Government of Nagaland via the Home Department on May 19, 2022, recent reports have confirmed that toll gates at locations such as Purana Bazar, Kevijau Thaheku, and Burma Camp area are still actively taxing vehicles. These collections, often disguised as “utility fees,” range from Rs 50 for small rickshaws to Rs 250 for heavy trucks, the NPYF claimed.
The NPYF also highlighted several critical points. It said the continued operation of these gates constitutes defiance of government authority, noting that a directive from the Municipal Affairs Department as recently as September 2025 explicitly stated that levying toll tax is “not permissible” due to the ongoing blanket ban. The NPYF further raised the issue of double taxation, stating that goods already covered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are being illegally levied again at these gates, and criticized the lack of accountability to provide clarifications on where these “utility fees” are being directed.
The NPYF asserted that such “unabated and illegal taxation” is not only an economic burden on the common man but also a criminal act. It said that under the 2022 government notification, those involved in such illegal collections are liable for prosecution under Section 188 of the IPC (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and Section 384 (punishment for extortion).
The NPYF further demanded immediate closure of all illegal toll gates functioning under the DMC and EDTC, strict penalization of officials and individuals overseeing these operations, and transparency from the government on how these entities continue to “run the show” despite the law.
The organization said it will not remain a silent spectator while public entities engage in illegal activities that harass the citizens and business community of Nagaland. It also urged the concerned authorities to act swiftly to restore public confidence and uphold the sanctity of government directives.
