ERDO urges
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2022:
Expressing strong concern over the growing inconveniences due to blatant collection of illegal taxes, extortion and other forms of harassments, the Economic and Resource Development Organisation (ERDO)- Kangleipak has stated that it is high time State confront extortion along National Highways.
Manipur, an erstwhile self reliant kingdom, is now a State struggling to attain self reliance and is dependent on the mainland for everything, right from essential commodities to other trading items, noted ERDO in a statement.
All these items which are necessary to feed the people belonging to different communities are brought to the State via National Highways.
But sadly, armed groups of different communities have been carrying out extortion and collecting illegal taxes openly leaving a huge dent in the State's economy, it said.
There are even instances of involvement of armed groups under peace pact in these illegal activities, it said while adding that it has not only hit the State's financial condition but also greatly lowered per capita income of the people.
It is very unfortunate on the part of the State Government and its agencies that these armed groups are let to collect illegal taxes openly and detain vehicles and persons commuting the National highways for ransom, it said.
Maintaining that these activities have resulted in skyrocketing prices of all commodities and depletion of common people's hard earned money, ERDO urged armed groups involved in collecting illegal taxes along the National Highways to shun the activities and indulge more in entrepreneurial works and other honourable activities which could generate sustainable income instead of giving burden to common people.
Further it appealed to the State Government to be very careful while taking up measures to bring armed groups to the mainstream and signing peace deals in order to attain development and economic sustainability.
The Government should have its own strategy and measures in case points listed in treaty or pact are flouted, it said while reiterating the need for strong measures to prevent open looting and collection of illegal taxes along National Highways.