Truckers worry over weigh bridge 'tax'

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAJAN, June 17: At a time when the newly formed government in the state is pushing hard to put an end to the rising illegal taxation along the highways, the controversial M/S A K Weigh Bridge on NH 36 along Assam-galand border, under East Karbi Anglong district, continues to raise illegal toll ubated from truckers plying to and fro the state of galand and Manipur.

It is alleged that this activities are carried out under the very tutelage of the district administration and the police machinery.

The truckers caring essential commodities face all sorts of odds and harassment and bore the brunt of this unwarranted taxation.

“The weigh bridge is raising money in the me of weighting the commercial vehicles. However interestingly, weights are never taken. It’s been like a tradition. Each loaded truck moving past this weigh bridge is charged based on the number of wheels. The drivers refusing to comply are accustomed to physical abuse by the staffs manning this weigh bridge. There has been a complete ‘Gunda Raaj’ in the area,” said a driver.

The owner of this controversial weigh bridge is one Augustine Kramsa- a former leader of Karbi militant outfit United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS). He later joined the outfit’s breakaway faction Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF). Kramsa however, with the blessings of the top bureaucrats maged to form Karbi Anglong Chamber of Commerce and is now serving as the chairman of the prestigious association.