In a decisive move to curb unauthorized financial activities, the Nagaland government has announced a ban on illegal collections of money by unions, NGOs, associations, and other private and community organizations on state and national highways. This ban also extends to marketplaces across the state. An official release on Tuesday confirmed this measure, aiming to eliminate unauthorized financial demands.
The state government emphasized that anyone found participating in such illegal activities would face prosecution under Sections 188 and 384 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 188 pertains to disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, while Section 384 deals with punishment for extortion.
The Nagaland home department highlighted that the state government has issued repeated instructions to prevent unauthorized money collections, which have taken various forms, including taxes, membership fees, contributions, donations, charges, levies, and tolls. Despite these instructions, illegal financial demands have persisted, necessitating more stringent enforcement.
The home department referenced a prior order dated May 31, 2012, which initially banned such illegal collections. Additionally, it pointed to a notification dated May 19, 2022, explicitly prohibiting the erection and operation of intra-state check gates and any unauthorized collections at inter-state check gates by associations, groups, or private individuals.
To ensure compliance with these orders, the department has directed district administration and police authorities to rigorously enforce the ban. This aims to create a more regulated and lawful environment, ensuring that financial activities within the state’s transportation and commercial hubs are conducted transparently and legally.
