Seasonal demands return Nagaland :::: "Festive extortion" leaves Govt officials anxious -- reports Morung Express

"As Nagaland prepares for Christmas and New Year celebrations, government departments are reportedly facing renewed monetary demands from Naga political groups, raising concerns over administrative vulnerability and entrenched informal practices," says the report in Dimapur-based daily.

It's routine.

Like Sun rises in the east ... like politicians are busy either making money wherever they can and 'start preparing' for the 2028 battle ... since late 1990s or so ... 'extortion is happening' regularly and rather religiously.

This is one fallout of the ceasefire that started in August 1997 and the so-called peace talks are still pending.

Rhythmic cheering echoed around the streets for about 10 days between Dec 1 and 10th - Hornbill Festival. The extravaganza is organised in very district and every town.

Top of that it has been wedding season. 

Nagas are mostly Christians and hence Christmas is a vital festival. The state of Nagaland cradled in the wilds of northeast corner of India is also regarded as one of the ‘most Baptist states’ as over 75 per cent of it is dominated by Baptist Christians.

But Nagas have remained traditional to the core cherishing good old traditional values and virtues of onetime animism, but CORRUPTION is a way of life.

Corruption is linked to easy money and it is linked to this annual feature of  donation/tax collections and extortion. 

Despite Christians forming 90 percent of Nagaland's two million people, the BJP gained political prominence in 2018 and became part of the state government following an election in February that year.

It is not that Corruption came to Nagaland because of BJP. The original party that ruled the roost in the state was Congress. 

There goes a saying .... As New Delhi shivers; Nagaland sneezes. So BJP capturing power in alliance with a regional party was fairly easy.

Congress has failed to open account in two assembly polls - 2018 and 2023. But in 2024, Lok Sabha polls - "political corruption" helped it to win the lone seat.  

Nagas change their political affiliation with as much ease and fun. They care not much about political parties. Elections are won or lost by candidates and one reason is Bolero and the other reason is cash flows. Thanks to Digital India ... even online payments are done reportedly. 

In fact, politics/elections and even normal life in Nagaland are one of the most expensive affairs in northeast India.

Earlier, Congress had it easy. Even Union Food Minister has been successfully discharging the role of election in-charge (or AICC observer) during elections.

Now, BJP does it and the liberal approach suits the regional protagonists. 

Well, the "resourceful politics" always help to win seats. The effects of the powerful Nagaland Baptist Church Council's appeal for voters to stay away from the BJP and also from corruption during elections never work here.

Rahul Gandhi could easily say "Vote-purchase" is here to stay in Nagaland. And if his party is Zero-MLA party today; it is due to lack of resources. Ideologies do not matter much in most seats. 

Corruption is eating into the inherent virtues of simple Naga people.  

On 'extortion'; the daily 'Morung Express' quotes an official as saying ---

“We are expected to follow financial rules, yet we operate in an environment where unofficial pressures exist".

That's the reality. Here is another set of quotes:

“I am not aware such guidelines or protocols ever made to respond such demands till now and we are stuck in between,” said one head of the department.

Another asserted that there is ‘no clear government guidelines on this".  

“The State government should come up with official notification to stop any kind of contribution/tax.” 

“The government should say NO to such demands” were the pleas of the department heads while pointing out that “there is a risk of service termination and misappropriation of resources in the CAG audit.”  (reports the newspaper) 

ends