Imphal, June 29 2010: The amount of "illegal taxes" collected by various underground groups from the state vehicles plying the Imphal-Dimapur section of the NH-39 have been increased double the earlier rate with the implementation sixth pay bands in Manipur.

Despite the hue and cry of the people demanding control of the extortion menace on this section of the highway and heavy deployment of security witnessed on the stretch of the NH-39 in Nagaland section to protect highway travelers, extortion from truckers carrying out invaded in Dimapur town and Manipur section of the highway.

Against the decision of the Transporters and Drivers' Council (TDC) not to ply the Imphal-Dimapur section of the NH-39, some vehicles are secretly taking on this route.

The number trucks plying the route are increasing with a total of 97 trucks loaded crossed Mao gate and headed for Imphal Tuesday against 48 crossed yesterday, official source said.

Drivers taking the route when contacted by Nagaland Post said that security forces, both central and state, were seen conducting frequent patrolling round the clock on the stretch from Khuzuma to Dimapur.

They were seen always ready to extend help the truckers.

However, no special security measure seen taking up on the stretch of the Mao to Imphal section of the highway and undergrounds are freely collecting "goods tax" from the trucks.

An underground group enjoying ceasefire with the government of India is collecting "goods tax" openly near the gate, a driver who wished to omit his name revealed.

Not only this, the same underground group and other outfits operating in the town are collecting their annual "vehicle tax" in Dimapur town.

The tax rate has also been raised double the previous years rate.

Truckers paid Rs 6000 to Rs 10,000 to at least two underground organisations as annual vehicle tax collected by them from Manipur bound trucks which was earlier at the rate ranging from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 .

When drivers enquired about the hiking, they were told that it was increased as salaries of government employees have been enhanced with the implementation of the revised six pay bands of the Central government to the employees of Manipur government.