Mokokchung, April 11 (MExN): The Mokokchung District Truck Owners’ Association (MDTOA) has expressed rage over the seizure of a huge consignment of illegal from Mokokchung behind truck on April 3.
The Association, in a press release issued by its President, Sangyu Kichu, reported that the truck in question, an LP truck bearing registration number NL 02 Q 6311 is registered under MDTOA. Further, the owner is a member of the association and “owns a number of trucks and also two hardware stores -Anuradha Hardware in Arkong ward and Matsung hardware in Alichen Ungma.
The association condemned the smuggling of contraband liquor on a MDOTA registered truck and censured the member for his complicity in this crime.
The very fact that his truck driver and salesman was arrested by police, red handed points to a sinister nexus of smuggling liquor all under the guise of running a legitimate business, it stated.
Further, the association said that it has been “receiving complaints from different quarters of about charging truck fares below MDTOA given rate and also selling hardware items drastically way below market rates.”
MDOTA pointed out that this predatory pricing is prohibited under Section 4(2) (a) (ii) of the Competition Act 2002. “It is obvious that this sly ploy to dominate competitors by drastically selling goods and services below market rates was instead boasted in the bottom line by the huge illegal profits made from transport and sale of banned IMFL,” it alleged.
Under such circumstances, the MDTOA asserted that alleged accused should be taken to task and the concerned authorities should thoroughly investigate into his illegal activities.
MDTOA assured that action will be taken against the defaulting member so that this kind of act should not be repeated in the future.
It further appreciated the Mokokchung Police department for their vigil and seizing the contraband.
MCCI calls for thorough investigation
Meanwhile, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) stated that while the police have arrested the driver of the truck and the alleged owner of the illicit consignment—as well as another individual, “there are also media reports indicating that the owner of the truck has been implicated in the case.”
MCCI in a press release stated that as per media reports, the Mokokchung District Truck Owners Association (MDTOA) has demanded action against the owner of the truck involved in the case, who is not implicated in the initial police report.
MCCI, therefore, urged the concerned authorities to consider the issues raised by the MDTOA and conduct a thorough investigation and clarify all doubts, so that justice prevails and the matter is brought to its logical conclusion.
