TURA, Aug 23: Tura police have unearthed another racket in which a cartel is operating in Tura market where traders are forced to buy the products from only a particular wholesale vendor and also pay protection money to a handful of goons to run their business’. This in turn is resulting in citizens of Garo Hills having to pay high prices for items ranging from food to building materials as well.
“We have found that some persons have been indulging in monopolistic activities and extorting money from the suppliers in the name of protection money. They compel the shopkeepers to purchase the stuff from a particular supplier at the prices fixed as per their whims and fancies,” says SP Vivekanand Singh Rathore.
This modus operandi of a cartel monopolising trade is not something new but has been going on for the past couple of years.
Late P A Sangma had raised a similar allegation of a cartel monopolising trade during the elections of 2008 and in a speech in Tura bazaar on the last day of campaigning had warned of jail terms for those indulging in monopoly.
He was allegedly referring to a militant group which had come over ground under a ceasefire and was accused of running a monopoly racket in the market leading to sudden rise in prices of all essential commodities.
This time, Meghalaya police have decided to clamp down hard on such practices after the police headquarters gave clearance to conduct a secret investigation in the activities taking place in the Garo Hills markets.
The monopoly being run is such that anyone who wishes to run a trade or business must get clearance from the cartel members and cannot purchase any item from outside.
Take for example the highly profitable chicken trade in the market where traders must purchase their stock from selected individuals. Similarly, traders have to procure products such as potatoes, onions, chillies, fruits and even plastic bags only from vendors who are selected by the cartel. These products are sold above the market price and the only way for the traders to survive in the business is to raise the prices of his retail items which he passes down to the common man who buys the items.
“WE are collecting more facts and action shall be taken in due course. It is informed to one and all that any attempt at monopolizing the markets by creating cartels, hoarding, black marketing etc. shall not be acceptable to the administration and will be dealt with strongly as per law. We urge the people to cooperate with the district administration to resolve these issues amicably,” urged West Garo Hills police.
