The NSCN/GPRN (Yung Aung) has issued a press statement alleging that one Ethomo Rengma of Tesophenyü village, Tseminyu district, has been impersonating the group and engaging in large-scale illegal taxation across Nagaland.
According to the statement, Ethomo claimed to be a Kilonser, Western finance in-charge of the NSCN/GPRN (YA), with his wife allegedly acting as an accomplice. The group accused him of fraudulently collecting “crores of rupees” from Nagaland government departments, business establishments, and construction companies over the past two years using a pseudo identity and forged letterheads.
The NSCN/GPRN (YA) clarified that it has no affiliation with Ethomo and has never authorised him to collect taxes on its behalf. “All taxation pertaining to Nagaland state is handled directly by the Central Finance Committee,” the statement said, adding that the organisation would “never employ fraudsters and corrupt individuals.”
“Though faced with extreme difficulties in our struggle towards our awaited goal, NSCN/GPRN stands to maintain our core values like integrity, accountability, commitment and ethical behavior,” it added.
Issuing a stern warning, the statement declared: “He had chosen unwisely which is a dangerous path towards his own peril. If he deliberately choose to remain a thorn on our path we will be left with no choice but to initiate a capital punishment. We know where you are and we will find you.”
The NSCN/GPRN (YA) stated that they have “closely noted all his illegal activities and had given him a choice either to stop it or face his destruction.”
The group appealed for cooperation from stakeholders and warned the public to be vigilant. “We seek close co-operation from all stakeholders and appeal to them to be aware of such fraudsters or unauthorized person(s) on any financial matter related to NSCN/GPRN or they will be doing so at their own risk,” the statement said.
The group also appealed to the Rengma Hoho and Tesophenyü village authority to reprimand Ethomo, saying it preferred to avoid bloodshed but would not show further mercy if he continued his activities. “This statement stands as the final warning to Ethomo Rengma to immediately cease all his dirty activities or there will be no more mercy,” it concluded.