Locals rally against illegal tax collection
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 17 2024:
Meira Paibi activists of Tumukhong, Moirangpurel and Itham villages on Sunday took out a protest rally against demand/ collection of exorbitant amount of money as taxes from trucks engaged in transportation of construction materials including boulders/stones from quarries in the vicinity of the three villages.
Condemning collection of authorised taxes ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 from each truck by miscreants, the meira paibis carried out the demonstration from Moirangpurel community hall.
The protesters displayed placards inscribed 'Stop harassing truck drivers', 'Let the workers work in peace', 'Stop harassing the people', 'We demand the authorities' immediate attention', etc.
According to one Chingakham Subasini, as the main source of livelihood of people of the said villages is quarrying of stones along the river, insisting on payment of hefty amount as taxes is serious threat to their livelihood, especially amid the disastrous economy owing to unrest situation in the state.
While asking the miscreants to cease unauthorised tax collection, she also drew the immediate attention of authorities concerned to prevent harassment to the local populace.
Subasini also cautioned of launching intense agitation if such activities continue.