Trucker Thrashed In Silchar For Refusing To Pay 'Goonda Tax', Truckers Association Demands Probe

Reportedly, an irate mob of five men who were allegedly refused payment of 'goonda tax' attacked a Silchar bound truck driver. The shocking incident was reported from the END colony area of Silchar town that is a gateway for trucks to enter the town through Ramnagar.

As per police sources, the unscrupulous group of five had constructed an illegal toll gate at the END colony and allegedly collected an amount of Rs 400 to Rs 500 from each trucker in the form of 'goonda tax' while they entered Silchar.

As per the truck drivers, if they refused to pay up the illegal tax the mob of five would threaten them with dire consequences. In this particular case, they had thrashed the trucker with sticks.

One of the truck owners while talking to the local media said, "For last 4 months we have been harassed by these goons at the roadside of END Colony. The group collects 'Gunda Tax' from the truck drivers. One of my colleagues had to change his driver for the third time out of fear."

The incident occurred on Sunday night as one of the truck drivers did not agree to pay the tax resulting into the group of the unscrupulous men to attack the driver and vandalized the sand-laden truck with sticks and other sharp weapons.

According to sources, the driver somehow managed to escape from the spot and fled to safety.

Meanwhile, the Truckers Association Filed an FIR at Tarapur police station.

However, the Truckers Association further demanded a detailed investigation in this matter and requested Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state cabinet minister Parimal Suklabaidya to look into the matter and assure the safety of the truck drivers while plying through roads.

In a similar incident of illegal tax collection, two personnel of the Sansari Police Station, Kamrup has been suspended for collecting 'goonda tax'' from trucks moving on the National Highway. According to reports, police constable Nur Islam and Home Guard Upen Kalita collected 'goonda tax' from trucks. Their misdeed has been caught on mobile phone video by someone and the video of which has gone viral on social media.

In the viral video, it is seen that both the police personnel have collected money from trucks without any receipt. After seeing the video, Kamrup Superintendent of Police has suspended them. It is alleged that Islam and Kalita collected Rs. 50 from the truckers each. However, it is yet to come to light that whether they were authorized by any superior office to check the truckers moving on the National Highway.

It could be noted that a few days ago a constable and a Home Guard from the Dadara Police Station helped seized gold worth Rs. 1 crore, refusing to take bribes from a group of smugglers. According to reports, the personnel was caught on camera collecting money from trucks on 14-07-21 and 29-07-21. Upon receiving information about the clandestine activity, senior police officials ordered an inquiry into the matter. Verification of the footage and further inquiries revealed the identity of the personnel.

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