Guwahati: To control the rise in prices of food items, a Special Investigating Team (SIT) has been set up by the Police Commissioner here to detect illegal syndicates responsible for it and take action against those.
Guwahati Police Commissioner Anil Kumar Jha had last week issued an order to form the SIT under the command of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security and Intelligence) Awajagaran Basumatary, sources said.
“In view of reports, appearing in various newspapers, about illegal syndicates operating in areas under Guwahati Police Commissionerate, an SIT is constituted in the interest of public service,” the order issued on June 16 said. In the order, which came into effect immediately, the SIT has been directed to “detect and investigate commission of cognisable offence by forming syndicate, if any, under the Police Commis-sionerate, Guwahati”.
“In recent times, prices of food items have gone very high, mainly in Guwahati city. People and media are alleging that this is happening due to syndicate-controlled markets. If it is true, then we want to break that and give relief to common people,” Jha told.
He hoped that formation of the SIT will act as a deterrent for those involved in the syndicates and said around three to four cartels are reported to be operating in the city and controlling prices of various food items such as egg, fish, fruits, vegetables, rice, dal and betel.
“If we become successful in destroying the cartel in Guwahati, it will positively impact the entire state. Most of the syndicates are operating from here as goods pass through the city,” Jha said.
The Police Commissioner invited people and media to share information with the SIT regarding any syndicate or person involved in any way in controlling prices of food items. “Any information coming to the SIT will be enquired. Our main focus is food items, but the SIT will look into other cases of syndicates also,” Jha said. (PTI)
