Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 30
Home Minister (HM) Imkong L. Imchen today said too many “angles” are involved in issues relating to extortion and that “specific security arrangements” cannot be provided in all places.
Imchen stated this while replying to queries from media persons on the sideline of a programme Saturday, October 30. The HM was asked whether the Nagaland government has taken up any noteworthy anti-extortion counter measures or put in place mechanism in the backdrop of the ever-increasing instances of illegal tax collection and extortions particularly in Dimapur.
He said ‘many angles’ crop up when it comes to dealing with the menace of extortion. Imchen maintained in a somewhat defensive note that the persons who are being extorted must, in the first place, ‘report the matter to the police.’ The HM also ruled out the possibility of underground groups carrying out the extortions under ‘mutual agreement among themselves.’
Stating extortion is a serious concern, the HM maintained that the police are doing a commendable job and called for the public to appreciate the achievements of the police. He averred that the people are refusing to compare the present situation with the pre-2008 era.
To refresh public memory, one instance of the impact of illegal “tax” collections and extortions was the September 16 strike called by truckers and transporters protesting the blatant extortion and illegal tax collection. The truckers had demanded that adequate police escort be provided to goods’ carriers in the route beginning from the New Field check post till the Tragopan junction. This particular stretch of road, the truckers had revealed, is the hot-bed of illegal tax collection.
They had also asked for police security in the warehouse where goods are unloaded and at their respective transport offices in Dimapur.
The truckers, under the umbrella of Dimapur Goods Transport Association (DGTA), called off their strike on September 24 following a joint meeting between the transporters, the district administration and the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce.
The truckers that time were assured of adequate security. Interestingly, this meeting was followed by an informal ‘security discussion’ at the DC’s office the next day on September 25 which was chaired by the Home minister. The meeting had in attendance the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur and the advisory board members of the Dimapur Municipal Council.
The meeting discussed ways and means to arrive at possible mechanisms to tackle anti-social activities in the district besides other security-related issues. The meeting concluded with the Home Minister calling for holding of district security review meeting as soon as possible.
Dimapur in the recent weeks have witnessed a number of unwanted situations in the form of strikes from transporters, for the same reason again – extortions. The most notable was the one called by the Bokajan Truck Owners’ Association about two weeks ago. It was the result of a kidnapping of a truck handyman by miscreants in Signal Basti, who was released only after payment of ransom. Then there was the strike from the All Nagaland Private Bus Owners Association.
Asked on the progress of inquiry of the incident when three minors were beaten by police and some other individuals, he said that the report has not reached ‘his table yet’. “Always two sides in a coin… can’t pass any judgment now”, he remarked.
