Police blamed for hike in prices

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, February 3: The private companies engaged in the business of transportation of goods and truckers say that the prime reason behind the hike in prices in the State is the police forcibly collecting money from truckers carrying goods to the state from outside.

“Once goods–laden trucks enter Assam, the police charge big amounts from the drivers. If any driver refuses to pay the money demanded, he has to face untold harassment, including physical assault,” a section of transporters and truckers said, and added that such collection by the police had its direct impact on the price list of essential commodities in the state.

They further said: “The transporters have to hike transportation charges of goods by around 20 per cent in the past two years mainly because of the police collecting money from truckers. The amount being paid to the police by the truckers are added to the transportation cost of goods, and that extra amount has to be borne by the consumers.”