MTLT demands legal and municipal action
Mokokchung, April 11 (MExN): The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) has demanded legal and administrative action against a local businessman, accusing him of engaging in illegal liquor smuggling and predatory pricing that allegedly harmed the local economy.
In a statement on April 11, the MTLT called on authorities to revoke his trade license, investigate possible violations under the Competition Act, 2002, and prosecute him under relevant laws. “The MTLT, while deeply appreciating the Mokokchung Police for seizing the contraband goods, urges the law enforcing agencies to take necessary actions as per the law,” it stated. Further, the MTLT urged the Public Prosecutor to investigate whether the businessman in question has violated the law under Section 4(2)(a)(ii) of the Competition Act, 2002 and press charge if found to have.
It also appealed to the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) to conduct an inquiry to assess the extent of damage caused. “If found culpable of an illegal act, the MMC should immediately revoke his trade license and even pursue legal prosecution under relevant section of the law,” it asserted.
According to MTLT, the businessman’s alleged activities came to light after Mokokchung Police seized a truck on April 2. The truck, owned by him and reportedly concealed with hardware materials, was found carrying a large consignment of illegal liquor. Two of his employees— a truck driver and salesman—were taken into custody. The businessman owns multiple trucks and operates two hardware stores, Anuradha Hardware at Arkong Ward and Matsung Hardware at Aolijen, Ungma, it informed.
The MTLT further cited reports by the Mokokchung District Truck Owners Association (MDTOA) alleging that the businessman had been manipulating truck fares and selling hardware items at below-market rates. “It is reliably learnt that had been practicing ‘predatory pricing’—an illegal act prohibited under 4(2)(a)(ii) of the Competition Act, 2002—where he would sell the legitimate hardware materials at a lower rate while recovering the losses through the huge profits in illegal bootlegging business,” the MTLT stated.
In addition to seeking punitive action, the MTLT appealed to the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to check such actions that are detrimental to the growth of the town.
It also linked the ongoing issue to broader policy concerns, especially the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act. It said that such activities were facilitated by the “half-dead NLTP Act which allowed him to earn huge profits from his bootlegging business and recover the apparent losses in his legitimate hardware business.”
Calling for a public debate, it said, “It is high time for the public of Mokokchung to open their eyes and seriously ponder whether the NLTP Act needs a serious review by the State government given the fact that bootlegging is a crime that could not be checked in our State despite all efforts.”
