Imphal, January 10 2009: A GROUP of non-state "tax collectors" emerged and has started collecting money at the rate of Rs 200 per trip from the freight trucks plying the Imphal-Dimapur section of the NH-39 adding another burden to the truckers who have been paying unlimited taxes collected by state and non-state actors.

Miscreants suspected to be members of an outfit have started appearing on the highway at a place between Lairouching and Senapati and collected Rs 200 per freight trucks stating that it was a "local tax" imposed on the freight trucks by them, a highly reliable eyewitness account said today.

A truck has been reportedly detained by the "tax collectors" following the driver cross the mobile check post opening on the highway between Senapati and Lairouching without paying the money they demanded.

They have also taken away the documents of the vehicle and asked the driver to come with Rs 50,000 as fine for trying to avoid the payment of the money yesterday afternoon.

The drivers could not know whether the persons collecting the money belong to a militant group or not.

They also refused to disclose the same when the drivers asked them, the report said.

Till late today there were no reports of releasing the detained truck.

Interesting, the emergent of the another tax collection point is amidst the move of the state authorities' instruction to intensify the highway patrolling to the security forces deploying along the stretch of the highway in Manipur section and escorting all types of freight vehicles by state security forces from Sekmai to Mao.

Commercial vehicles plying on National Highway-39, en route, to Manipur are subjecting to a variety of 'taxes' by the militant factions with the full knowledge of state agencies.

According to intelligence analysis report here, NSCN (IM) maintaining cease-fire pact with the government of India has 26 permanent 'tax' collection points along the NH-39.The modus operandi of 'tax' collection at these points is systematic and elaborate.

Every commercial vehicle passing through this route pays out at least Rs 4,000 per trip as 'taxes' to the outfit.

Many other militant outfits, mostly hill base one and maintaining cease-fire and suspension of operation pacts with the India government and Manipur government, do the same like that of NSCN factions.

Truckers who fail to pay are often assaulted and forced to pay exorbitant 'fines'.

On many occasions, trucks have been looted or set ablaze for 'non-compliance'.

With the Government remaining indifferent, the impact of this sustained extortion is severely felt on the prices of essential commodities in adjoining Manipur, on a permanent basis.

Apart from impositions of heavy illegal "taxes" by the militant outfits, truckers are facing various disturbances meted out by the civil organizations who frequently spearheading economic blockades and bandhs on the highway in connection with their certain demands from the government taking the advantage of being the only life line of Manipur people.

Currently, truckers are moving with security escort as agitating Naga People Organisation, NPO is imposing blockade on this highway since the last around one month in connection with their demands for removal of the deputy commissioner of Senapati district where major portion of the highway in Manipur section pass through.

Government's security on the highway could not effectively relief the disturbances and harassments meted out to the highway travelers in general and particularly to the freight truckers transporting essential commodities to Imphal from other part of the country.

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