Source: North East Press Service
Kohima, June 19 (NEPS):
15 trucks loaded with imported Myanmar timbers coming from Manipur has been detained since last evening here in by-pass check gate by the District Forest Officer, Kohima.
The timbers are imported from Myanmar from Han Export and Import Tamu MYO, Myanmar through MM International Moreh, Manipur, India.
The MM International Moreh, Manipur said it had moved to Guwahati High Court, Imphal Bench and Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ukhrul when the Manipur State Forest department allegedly tried to obstruct the transportation of the imported timbers on various unfounded charges.
Whereas the Guwahati High Court, Imphal Bench and also Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ukhrul had ruled that imported timbers be allowed to transport without any disturbances from the State Forest department.
The MM International Moreh, Manipur expressed surprise that when they could get clearance from the Courts and reached by-pass check gate here, the DFO, Kohima detained the 15 trucks loaded with imported Myanmar timbers on the charges of non-payment of "Custom duties" and not having "TP".
This TP was not necessary as the timbers are imported ones as Indo-Myanmar Trade Agreement.
However with regards to the non-payment of the "Customs duty," the MM International Moreh, Manipur explained it had applied for payment the same but the Customs Department could not fix the rates at the moment.
Therefore they had made a Court affidavit that as and when the Costumes department made rate, payment would be made, it said.
"Since we are having all these legal documents and also backed by the Court rulings, the detaining of our timbers by DFO, Kohima is not necessary," said Indrasen Singh, chairman of the MM International Moreh, Manipur.
The Guhawati High Court ruling also said, "There cannot be two authorities for confiscation by the Customs for non-payment of duty and thereafter the State Government for alleged violation of Forest Rules".
"Therefore the State Government could not detain us as we have already shown to them about the affidavit for payment of Customs duty," said the MM International Moreh, Manipur.