Special Correspondent
Ukhrul May 9:
The plight of daily wage earners has reached a critical juncture as they fervently appeal to the authorities to intervene and implement laws to alleviate the burden inflicted upon them and their families.
Sources from the impoverished wage earners’ community have disclosed the distressing reality of illegal tax collection rampant at Leimakhong Mapal near Lamlai Police Station, along the Ukhrul-Imphal road. This incessant imposition of taxes has exacerbated the struggle of their daily lives, plunging them deeper into poverty. The impact extends beyond their own livelihoods, directly affecting the well-being of their families, pushing them to the brink of deprivation, unable to provide even a basic meal for their loved ones.
The perpetrators of this exploitation brazenly identify themselves as members of the valley-based UNLF group, openly stationed at the location, extorting exorbitant taxes from individuals transporting essential building materials. The fixed and non-negotiable rates, such as Rs. 500 for bricks, cement, firewood, and other materials, along with Rs. 200 for stones and sand, further exacerbate the financial strain on these already struggling wage earners.
Despite sporadic confrontations and arguments between truck drivers and the extortionists, the armed group consistently asserts dominance, leaving the wage earners feeling helpless and coerced into compliance.
The dire situation has persisted for the past three weeks, with no respite in sight. Despite attempts to seek assistance from local authorities, particularly the Lamlai Police Station merely a kilometer away from the site of exploitation, no concrete action has been taken to address the issue. The absence of law enforcement exacerbates the vulnerability of these wage earners, leaving them at the mercy of ruthless extortionists.
The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. Daily wage earners, already struggling to make ends meet, find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation and despair. Their voices, though filled with desperation, echo a plea for justice and relief from the oppressive burden imposed upon them.
As the community grapples with the harsh realities of survival, it becomes imperative for the authorities to heed their cry for help and take decisive action to eradicate this menace of illegal taxation. Failure to do so not only perpetuates the suffering of the wage earners but also undermines the very fabric of justice and equity upon which society is built
