Protest against syndicate raj to risk life and limb

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: This has become an open secret in the valley of Barak as to how the syndicate raj in illegal trade of Meghalaya coal, Burmese supari and government-subsidised fertilisers goes on without check and balance. It is under political patronage that the business thrives and prospers with a huge dent in the State exchequer. Valley media — both print and electronic — has come out with startling revelations, but then who cares. This illegal business spreads from the coal pits of Meghalaya to Bangladesh, from Myanmar to the borders of Assam and beyond.

Often, voices of protest are raised from saner and concerned citizens against the illegal trade with wider ramifications on civic life. But those who dare to protest meet with threats and intimidations to their life. Abdul Malik Choudhury of Khelma Part-II under the police station of Katigorah — one of the hotspots of the trade — dared to protest but not without provoking the syndicate middlemen. In his petition to the Superintendent of Police of Cachar on Friday, Abdul Malik named five persons of Katigorah villages with their address who are running syndicate of coal illegally and transporting the black diamond from Meghalaya to Bangladesh without any transit permit or challan. The Sentinel carried an on-the-spot investigative report about the illegal trade.

His petition narrates how he organised a few persons and launched an agitation against the syndicate middle men and their trade. But, the persons identified allegedly in collusion with the in-charge of Katigorah police station rein in on them on the night of December 23 and took away our banners and posters and they were subjected to threats with dire consequences. The police resorted to baton charge without any warning which resulted in injury to several protestors. They were driven away from the spot by force.

The petition apprehends the syndicate members in collusion with the police might go to any length to thwart their democratic agitation against the illegal transportation of coal. The agitators humbly pray to the SP Cachar to initiate action against the illegal tradesmen and protect their life and liberty by providing adequate security. Abdul Malik Choudhury says he is spending sleepless nights for spearheading the agitation. He is confident the new SP will take cognizance of his petition for remedial measures.

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