“At times, we are compelled to pay taxes in seven places just within a stretch of 30 kilometers,” said Govinda Paudel, a local trader. However, in the guise of such groups, many disgruntled people are also targeting the traders who export agro-products and medicinal herbs produced in Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung districts to India through Jhapa.
Local ethnic groups are active in collecting taxes from transporters and traders in the name of ´state taxes´, especially along the highways. Businessmen claimed that the groups were extracting as much as Rs 2,000 from them at gunpoint. “We have no option but to give in to their demands,” said Khusi Lal Mahato, a truck driver.
Receipts provided by the groups bear names of Pallo Kirant Limbuwan National Forum affiliated Federal Limbuwan State Council, Federal Limbuwan State Council (Revolutionary), Kirant Janabadi Workers Party and Federal Limbuwan State Council.
Transport entrepreneurs and traders complained that they were at the receiving end for government´s inability to improve law and order.
“It is the result of the government´s failure to provide security to businessmen,” said Rajendra Ghimire, president of Black-cardamom Traders Association.
However, leaders of the concerned ethnic groups deny their groups´ involvement in collecting taxes along the highways. Kumar Lingden, president of the Federal State Council claimed that his group has no involvement in the extortion drive. “We never collect tax forcibly,” said Lingden.
Local administration, however, downplayed the situation along the highways. “We have no official information about such illegal activities,” said Chief District Officer of Ilam Sudarshan Dhakal. Instead, Dhakal claimed that law and order situation had improved after the local administration busted a gang involved in the extortion drive a couple weeks ago. Local business men have demanded that the administration take the matter seriously and bring such groups to book.
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