By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 13: Broomstick farmers in Block-II of Ri-Bhoi are still being harassed with the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) still enforcing its illegal tax collection regime against the defenceless locals.
Members of the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area Raid Nongtung disclosed this information to KHADC CEM, Pyniaid Sing Syiem during their meeting on Friday.
To stop the unauthorised tax collection on the farmers in Block-II area, the KHADC CEM brought up this issue right away with his KAAC counterpart, Tuliram Ronghang.
The five “illegal” KAAC check gates are located at Umsynduk, Umlaper, Sabuda, Umjaknieh (Jatalong), and Madan Umwang, according to the Synjuk members.
The Synjuk leaders declared that all the five check gates were illegally collecting taxes from them.
President of the Synjuk, Blikstar Sohtun, stated that the check gates are causing a lot of problems for the people.
He claims that the KAAC originally installed its forest check gate to stop smuggling of illegal forest produce, but those check gates are now being used to illegally tax the agricultural output of the underprivileged farmers in the Block-II area.
Sohtun observed that ever since the KHADC CEM paid a visit to the area, some encouraging developments are being observed. There would be no more interruptions to the KHADC’s programme implementation following this visit, he hoped.
However, he stated that there are still concerns about the security and safety of the people, and that taxes on agricultural produce are still being illegally collected.
The Synjuk leaders were accompanied by Mawhati MDC, Charles Marngar who expressed his satisfaction with the KHADC CEM’s follow-up over the issue of the unjustified tax collection.
“We express concern that the illicit gathering extends beyond agricultural products, encompassing firewood and sand intended for residential construction,” Marngar stated.
The KHADC CEM promised in the interim that the current executive committee would take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety and security of the residents of the border communities.
“Should the villagers require us, we are prepared to go to the Block-II area even at night,” Syiem declared.
He said the council will take steps to prevent a repeat of the Lapangap flare-up in Block-II area.