Imphal, September 30: Striking a tough pose, CPI general secretary and MP AB Bardhan today said that the Centre should stop the NSCN (IM) from collecting illegal taxes from Manipur bound vehicles.

Addressing the gathering at the occasion of the 109th birth anniversary of Jananeta Hijam Irabot at Khuman Lampak today, Bardhan said that taxes are imposed by Government to take up developmental works for all.

It is highly wrong for a non Government entity like the NSCN (IM), which is engaged in a peace process with the GoI to impose and collect illegal taxes, he thundered.

As the IM group is engaged in a talk with the Centre, it is the duty of the Central Government to stop them from imposing and collecting taxes from the vehicles of Manipur, he demanded.

This issue will be brought to the notice of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister and discussed thoroughly, he promised.

The CPI welcomes the peace process between the GoI and the NSCN (IM), but the CPI will not remain quiet if the outfit takes advantage of the situation and impose taxes on other people and try to disturb peace in neighbouring States, he added.

Bardhan asserted that he had come to pay respect to a multi-faceted personality like Irabot and added that the CPI will always stand for the integrity of Manipur.

�During the economic blockade, I personally met the Prime Minister and Home Minister and questioned them whether Manipur was a part of India or not and demanded that the Centre should do the needful to make essential goods available to the people,� claimed Bardhan.

Following the pressure, the Centre did step in and some goods were air lifted and brought to Manipur, recalled the CPI leader though he admitted that the goods brought in was nothing for a population of 25 lakh people.

However the symbolic meaning behind the gesture should not be lost on anyone, he added.

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