Representative image

The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) and the Kohima District Truck Owners and Drivers’ Union have extended full support to the Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council, Dimapur in their fight against illegal collection of money in check gates and on highways in the state.

The PAC decided to deploy its volunteers in three entry check gates here from Monday in a bid to stop illegal collection of money from trucks by various elements.

Both the organisations discussed the issue of illegal collections at a joint meeting in Kohima on September 13 and found it to be the main cause of price rise in all essential and non-essential commodities in the state capital, a release issued by the NVCO said on Sunday.

NVCO president Kezhokhoto Savi said the NVCO had earlier submitted a representation to the chief secretary to execute the common judgement of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.

The Gauhati High Court dated 3.06.2014, as well as the government standing order dated 22nd June, 2009 issued by the chief secretary to completely stopped the illegal collection of cash at the check gates and on any part of the highway.

The NVCO had also asked the chief secretary to issue necessary directions to the deputy commissioners of all the districts to effectively enforce and execute the high court judgement.

It had also asked for implementing the government order which banned collection of cash/taxes by any organisation or individual including government departments such as police, excise, forest and taxes departments, in the check gates or in any part of the highway, Savi said.

Bhadra Gogoi is Northeast Now Correspondent in Nagaland. He can be reached at: [email protected]