ZYF expresses concern over tax collection
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2013: Accusing the police posted at different stations along National Highway 37 of resorting to rampant collection of huge amount as taxes the Zeliang-rong Youth Front (AMN) has demanded investigation into the matter and to take up strong action as per law against those personnel involved so that taxes collection activities by Police and Excise personnel are put to an end.

The ZYF (AMN) in a statement issued by its joint secretary, David Kamei said the youth front is monitoring the movement of trucks carrying essential commodities on this road and learnt that the police is indulging in varied amount of taxes collection activities on every trucks at the rate of Rs 400 per truck at Patsoi Khongnangkhong Police Gate, Rs 1000 at Patsoi Police Station for carrying rice apart from normal tax, Rs 200 at Keithelmanbi Excise Check post, Rs 400 at Keithelmanbi Police Out Post, Rs 2500 at Sapermeina Police Out Post located at Keithel-manbi for carrying rice for Tamenglong apart from Rs 500 as tax, Rs 300 at Long-mai (Noney) Excise post, Rs 300 at Longmai (Noney) Police Out Post, Rs 200 at Taobam (Irang) Excise post.

Rs 4000 is charged by Police commando at Dharamsala, Imphal for loading rice, alleged the ZYF.

Besides, different underground groups operating on this road also charged Rs 500 each per truck, it said.

The police personnel of Sapermeina Police Out Post located at Keithelmanbi reportedly assaulted a driver of a Tata truck on Oct 27 for enquiring why so much amount (Rs 8,000) is charged from him for carrying rice for Tamenglong.

The Sapermeina Police Out Post of Keithel-manbi also charged Rs 4,000 from the driver of a Tata truck on Oct 27, which was carrying rice for Tamenglong, it alleged.

The Police Station charged Rs 1500 at Jirighat, Rs 1500 at Jiribam Police Station, Rs 500 at Gularthol Excise, Rs 2500 at Tatbung Police Out Post for carrying rice for Tamenglong district.

Rs100 each is collected for every Jiri-Imphal bound vehicle.

This has led to escalation of prices of essential commodities, the ZYF statement said.

Wanting to know if there is any authorization, instruction or direction from the State Govt to the police and excise station/post situated on this road to collect such taxes on trucks carrying essential commodities bound for Tamenglong district, the ZYF draws the immediate attention of the State Govt in this regard.

Continuing of collection of taxes by police and excise personnel would invite strong people protest of which consequences will be borne by the State Govt, it warned.

It also appealed the truckers to obtain receipt from the Police and Excise personnel in order to authenticate the reason for collection of taxes.

Information relating to detention of vehicles by the Police and Excise for failing to cope up with the tax amount demanded by them may be informed to the ZYF for further appraisal to the higher authority.

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