Dimapur, Nov 20 (MExN): In what may be termed as a major blow to the flourishing business of illegal tax collection in the commercial hub of the state, Dimapur police arrested 12 illegal tax collectors from different places between New Field check gate and Burma Camp this morning. Dimapur in the last few years has become a heaven for illegal tax collectors by various unions, associations etc.
The arrest of 12 illegal tax collectors along with 24 slips of various unions/organizations and also around Rs.20,000 by the Dimapur Police this morning, is one of the first major efforts taken by the authority to eliminate the menace of illegal tax collection in the city.
Dimapur SP Bidhu Shekhar said that 100 policemen in plain clothes carried out the raid on illegal tax collectors this morning after keeping an eye on them for the last many days. He said that police personnel in plain clothes were deployed in different part of the city to detect spots of illegal tax collection.
In a more shocking revelation to the Dimapur Police, it was found out that 18 out of the 24 unions/organizations, under whose name tax is been collected, are Karbi Anglong-based unions while only 6 unions are from Dimapur. Dimapur SP Bidhu Shekhar, expressing surprise at the discovery questioned as to how Karbi Anglong-based unions/organizations could come and collect tax in another state. Police sources also said that collectors collect exorbitant rates from drivers and vehicles and not what has been printed on the booklet.
He further said that policemen in plain clothes will be deployed in different parts of the city to track down illegal tax collectors. SP Bidhu Shekhar, while terming today’s arrest as a major achievement towards elimination of illegal tax collection in the city, said that Dimapur Police will continue to track down illegal collector ‘till the last collector is booked.’
Out of the 24 arrested, 8 were registered under regular cases, namely; Ghumoto Shohe (20 yrs), Alato Yepthomi (20 yrs), Kevito Aye (18 yrs), Sona Singh (38 yrs), Sujit Bhatacharjee, Mughato Zhimomi (28 yrs), Veshilo Aye. While the remaining 5 identified as Vikheho Ayemi, Nathan Longkumer, Vitoshe Shohe, Lanusunep Jamir and Kahoshe Chophy were booked under non-FIR case.
Names of the unions/organizations under whose name the tax are being collected:
Karbi Anglong based association
1. Karbi Anglong Goods Supplier Association –Rs.300
2. Karbi Anglong Goods Cosmetic Supply Association- Rs.2000
3. Karbi Anglong Fruit & Vegetable Association- Rs.1000 (Imphal), Rs.500 (Dimapur)
4. Karbi Anglong Iron Rod Dealer Association
5. Karbi Anglong Bitumen & Coal Dealer Association
6. Karbi Anglong NC Hills & Self Rule Territory- Rs.100
7. Karbi Anglong Transport Guide
8. Karbi Anglong Sand Gate- Rs.250
9. CCI/Cement Carriage Dealer Association
10. Karbi Anglong Vehicle tax-Rs.3000
11. Karbi Anglong Iron Scraps Association
12. Karbi Anglong Feed & Fertilizer Association
13. Karbi Anglong Bhujia Supply Association
14. Karbi Anglong Grocery Supply Association
15. Karbi Anglong Bitumen Supply Association
16. Karbi Anglong Transport Goods (Dimapur)-Rs.250
17. Karbi Abglong Cargo- Rs.300
18. Karbi Anglong Transport Goods (Imphal)- Rs.500
Dimapur Based Union
1. Dimapur Motor workers & Trade Union- Rs.10
2. Dimapur Land Transport Workers Union- Rs.10
3. Private Transport Association Dimapur- Rs.10
4. Dimapur Cycle Rickshaw Pullers Union- Rs.10
5. Dimapur District Auto Drivers Union- Rs.5
6. Dimapur Private Transport Association- Rs.30
