From Our Correspondent
TURA, Sep 23: Alleged illegal tax collection by individuals with vested interest from poultry suppliers in Garo Hills has severely led to shortage of broiler chicken in the region.
The Broiler Chicken Wholesalers Association (BCWA) of Tura submitted a formal complaint against certain individuals who are posing as agents of the Veterinary department and are allegedly involved in extorting money from poultry vehicles entering the state without issuing any valid receipts.
The association informed that in recent weeks, broiler chicken suppliers in Tura, Williamnagar, and Rongram have encountered severe disruptions while transporting their products to West and East Garo Hills as a group of individuals have been obstructing their movement, claiming to have received orders from the Veterinary department.
“Tura is now facing a depletion of chicken stock, leading to an increase in inflation in Garo Hills. If swift intervention does not take place, the situation will adversely affect the general public,” informed the members.
The association also informed that they had reported about the matter to Bajengdoba Police Station in North Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, Bajengdoba Police Station is once again in the dock after it allegedly failed to prevent such extortions from poultry suppliers by individuals pretending to be employees of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department.
Following inaction of the Bajengdoba police, the association members met West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani and submitted a formal complaint.
The association informed that the individuals handed a letter to the Bajengdoba Police Station which purportedly authorised their actions.
Notably, a notification from the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Meghalaya, had been issued to establish checkpoints at various locations along the Assam-Meghalaya border, including Ri Bhoi district and Khasi Hills. However, the notification did not grant authority to any individual or group to impede the free movement of goods.
As a result of the extortion activities, suppliers from Assam have completely halted the shipment of broiler chickens to Garo Hills. This disruption has had a severe impact on Tura, Rongram, and Williamnagar, they informed.
The Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills has assured swift resolution
and has communicated with his counterpart in North Garo Hills, Kumari Mitali Chandra who has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
The association condemned the illegal extortion by unknown entities which have disrupted the supply chain in Garo Hills.
It is alleged that a staggering sum of Rs 20,000 per vehicle is demanded without providing any valid receipts. The association has also identified one Migam Pegu, who is allegedly involved in the extortion racket.
Meanwhile, complaints have also been coming from the Tikirikilla – Phulbari route of a similar modus operandi being carried out on cattle being transported through the route.
Apparently another group of extortionists have been demanding Rs 5,000 per head of cattle in the name of the same department.
Meahwhile, Phulbari Police Station officials could not be contacted for comment.
The collections were apparently being carried out in Khamari village by a group of individuals from both Assam and Meghalaya.