TURA, Aug 23: A massive clampdown by authorities has begun against those involved in the illegal operation to raise prices of essential food items in Tura and other towns and police have filed an FIR against the group called Meghalaya Chamber of Commerce which is run under the direction of arrested Tura BJP MDC Bernard Rimpu N Marak.
The prices of food items have been rising for the past many months and the general public, specially the poor, the sick and the marginalized sections of society have been hit hard by the rising cost of food items.
“Multiple feedbacks were received from the general public in last few months and many reports were published by various newspapers in connection with the hiking of prices of snack, fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat etc. in Tura town. These reports were taken up seriously and based on the directions from Police Headquarters, a confidential enquiry was conducted by this office. During enquiry, it was learnt that the daily wagers, laborers, workers, sick persons, and other persons were facing immense hardship due to the price hike of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, sweets, snacks etc. It was also learnt that the prices were hiked few months back based on the instigation of office bearers of an organization which claims to be the “Meghalaya Chamber of Commerce” being operated under the directions of one Bernard N. Marak @ Rimpu aided by other persons namely Wilver Danggo M. Marak, Anish M. Sangma, Patcheng T. Sangma, and others,” stated West Garo Hills Superintendent of police Vivekanand Singh Rathore.
He revealed that during enquiry it was found that the Meghalaya Chamber of Commerce was collecting huge amount of money from the shop keepers in the name of membership fee and monthly renewal fees.
This, the police said, were being channelized clandestinely to the above-mentioned persons and their accomplices.
On receipt of the findings, the district SP’s office called the shopkeepers for discussion over last few days for finding an amicable and sustainable solution. Accordingly, the association named “Sweets and Confectionaries Association of Tura” has unanimously decided to slash the prices of sweets and snacks in the interest of general public, it was announced.
A new set of rates has now been published for the benefit of the people of Tura and Garo Hills.
