SHILLONG: Amidst reports of rise in illegal sugar export in Meghalaya, an individual from Shillong has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) pointing fingers at various authorities and syndicates operating along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
In this written complaint to the PMO, Adelbert Sohtun, a resident of Pynthorbah, accused local lawmakers, customs officials, police, and the Border Security Force (BSF) of complicity in the illegal export of sugar.
According to Sohtun’s claims, a clandestine network operates seamlessly, with hundreds of trucks from Assam illegally transporting sugar to land-custom stations in Meghalaya.
These stations, including Gasuapara, Borsora, Cherragaon, Dawki, and Dalu, reportedly serve as hubs for illegal export after greasing the palms of police stations en route, his complaint reportedly read.
Sohtun alleges that significant sums change hands at each checkpoint, with payments ranging from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 per vehicle at police stations, escalating to Rs. 40,000 for large trucks at export points.
The profits, he claims, are then divvied up among various officials, including the local MLA, customs officials, BSF personnel, police superintendents, and deputy commissioners.
Furthermore, Sohtun asserts that this illicit trade is orchestrated by an organised syndicate involving influential figures from Assam and Meghalaya.
The syndicate purportedly controls which transporters are permitted to partake in the smuggling operation, with dissenters facing repercussions.
In his complaint, Sohtun also highlighted instances where attempts to thwart the syndicate were swiftly neutralised, illustrating the reach and influence of those involved.
The complainant points out that the export of sugar has been prohibited to curb inflation and safeguard public welfare, as mandated by a Directorate General of Foreign Trade Notification.
Copies of the complaint were also dispatched to key officials, including Joint Secretary Rohit Yadav, Director General of the BSF Nitin Agarwal, and other relevant authorities.
