Kohima, November 12 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has condemned the “illegal collection and harassment” meted out to truckers at Chumukedima by some police personnel from Zone II. The allegation was first brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur and Dimapur district administration by the Kohima District Truck Owners’ and Drivers Union (KDTODU) on November 11 through the local media. In a press release issued by its Press & Media Cell, NVCO supported the appeal of KDTODU to the Commissioner of Police and Dimapur district administration to verify the allegation and take corrective measures.
President of NVCO, Kezhokhoto Savi maintained that the practice of illegal collection of cash and imposing multiple taxes in Dimapur are major causes of price rise. “Every now and then temporary rise of prices in essential commodities including building materials is common in Dimapur. Too many pay-counters besides the two main Nagaland check-gates situated at the entry point to state/Dimapur,” he stated, according to the release.
He also lamented that “the state capital Kohima is the best place for fund-raise and of course several ways of fund-raise spoil the market price and also amounts to public harassment.” Unfair means of weighing/scale/balance especially practiced by the butchers is also common, he added.
NVCO alleged that the State Government, especially the district administrations and municipal councils, have failed to regulate/control the prices in the markets. “The original price tag on motor parts are removed and sold at an exorbitant rate. The workmanship in construction is poor, especially roads…where the causes of poor workmanship includes the uses of sub-standard and expired materials,” it stated.
It further alleged that since the State Government is not sincere in controlling or regulating the prices of goods and services at a reasonable rate, the prices go up abnormally every Hornbill Festival and Christmas season.
“And the State Government has miserably failed to control the illegal collection of cash on highways and at the check-gates by Nagaland Police, associations, public organisations, unions, federations etc.,” it added.
The release noted that in its order dated June 22, 2009, the State Government had banned illegal collection of cash in the check-gate or in any part of the highway. The Gauhati High Court in its common judgement and order dated June 3, 2014 had also disallowed several unions/ associations/ federations to collect cash on highways, it said.
