Demands immediate suspension of erring personnel and officials
Dimapur, February 10 (MExN): The Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) today stated that it “is appalled and shocked at the resumption of illegal taxation by Police and Forest department personnel at check gates, which were earlier ordered to be removed.”
NTTU, President, Kevise Sogotsu in a press release recounted that “on February 9 morning, a truck (NL 01 G 8524) carrying local timber from Kiphire en-route to Dimapur was stopped at Peducha by police personnel who asked what the truck was ferrying. When the owner of the timber who is also a member of NTTU replied that he was transporting local timber, the police immediately demanded Rs 5,000. After much negotiation, the truck was allowed to proceed after our member paid Rs 1,500.”
The Union reported that “Again, on February 10, the same truck which halted for the night at Medziphema was stopped at Forest Check Gate Chümoukedima around 3:10 pm. The Forest personnel manning the check gate asked the quantity of timber and whether the truck had transit permit (TP). When our member said he did not posses TP, the Forest officials out rightly demanded Rs 22,000. The occupants pleaded that they could not pay such a hefty amount as after the expenses incurred during the long trip from Kiphire. In the end, the truck was released after payment of Rs 5,000.”
In regard to these incidents, the NTTU stated that it would like to question “both the Police and Forest personnel on what ground they are again resorting to this daylight robbery?”
“NTTU had all along fought tooth and nail against illegal taxation at check gates and even went to court, which ultimately led to the government ordering removal of inter-district check gates. Timber farmers or for that every Naga citizen has the right to transport his own timber anywhere within Nagaland for local or personal use. The question of possessing TP does not arise when transportation of timber or any other forest products is within the state. The timber traders are paying royalty to the government if timber is transported outside the state,” it stated.
“Are the Police and Forest personnel and officials not getting salary from the government that they had to stoop down so low as to fleece the hardworking tree farmers and traders of their livelihood and sustenance?,” the Union also questioned.
Therefore, NTTU has demanded “immediate suspension of the erring personnel and officials (Police and Forest)” and expressed hope “the government will keep up to its promises.”
“In the event of non-action from the higher-ups, NTTU and all district units will be left with no option but to continue our fight in the court of law,” it affirmed.
