The A·chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) and Organic Farmer Cooperative Society Adokgre have written to the Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills to protest against “extortion” being carried out against those involved in the areca nut and broomstick trade.
Traders and farmers moving their produce are subject to demands for money from various checkpoints, which increase costs, reduce profit margins and demotivate farmers from continuing their work, the complaint stated.
The complaint did not specify or speculate on the identity of the extortionists, merely stating that they comprise “individuals and criminalised groups”.
It suggested that a taskforce be constituted to deal with the problem and a helpline be set up where victims of extortion can make complaints directly and quickly to the authorities.
