IMPHAL, July 7: There are reports of State police personnel collecting illegal taxes from the Mao vendors who are provided a temporary market shed in Imphal following unrest over alleged assault and threats meted out to them in Kohima by Southern Angami People`™s Organisation in the wake of the Dzuko tension.
This was stated by Opposition MLA Laisom Ibomcha in the House today moving a Calling Attention Motion to draw the attention of the State Home minister.
He said the Mao people are already facing hardships due to the fallout of the Dzuko Valley land encroachment issue and the State police instead of helping them are said to be collecting illegal taxes.
The police, he said is creating more hardship for the vendors and the concern Home department need to consider the matter seriously, he said.
Meanwhile, clarifying on the issue, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio said there is no official report of any such incident.
However, if any police personnel is found indulging in such behavior, the guilty will receive befitting punishment, he assured the House.
He continued since tension rose due to the Dzuko dispute, the people of Mao had arrived in Imphal to vend their items at Nagamapal and Dingku Road Khongnang Ani karak.
The government has already directed the Imphal Municipal Council to conduct a survey for the setting up of a proper temporary market until a permanent solution is chalked out, he informed.
He continued, the State government is considering construction of a market for the displaced Mao people along Dingku Road, Chingmeirong which will be constructed under the North East Council funding.
The allotment of the site will be settled soon under the Tribal Development, he continued.
He also said that the State DGP has been directed to check all illegal taxes along the national highways and to take immediate action against anyone found indulging in any such practice.
He also said that no police personnel can check any vehicle or passenger unless it is related to anti-social incidents along the national highways.
The government is also in touch with the Mao MLA L Dikho that any unwanted incident should be informed to the police or himself, Gaikhangam said.
Any unauthorised tax collection along the highways by State or no-State actors must be brought to task immediately, he said.
If there is any illegal tax collection, people should inform the nearest police station or district SPs, he continued.
Meanwhile, MLA Ibomcha commented that no one would dare to make a complaint against illegal tax collected by the police or the NSCN (IM) and it should be the obligation of the State Home department to monitor such incident.