HT Bureau
DIPHU, Aug 16: George Timung, the general secretary of the Karbi Students Association (KSA Inglongpho), raised concerns on Tuesday about the presence of influential individuals orchestrating syndicates in Diphu market, resulting in the steep escalation of prices for commodities such as eggs and potatoes in the town.
Speaking at a press conference held at the KSA Central Executive Committee office in Rongthe-ang, Timung expressed that egg vendors had informed him of the involvement of one Rangsina Hanse in an egg syndicate.
Timung revealed that, in response to public complaints regarding the exorbitant egg prices, he convened a meeting with all egg vendors at the KSA office. During the meeting, one of the egg vendors identified Rangsina Hanse as the person behind the egg syndicate. Timung has called on Hanse to provide clarification on this matter.
Addressing the accusation that the KSA has been collecting Rs 10,000 per month from egg vendors, Timung stated that the organisation receives contributions from various supporters, including Tuliram Ronghang, the chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), and bureaucrats.
Timung alleged that multiple syndicates are operating in Diphu town. Kiri Tisso is allegedly running a potato syndicate, and Rotno Timung is linked to a polythene syndicate.
He further explained that retailers are required to procure eggs supplied by Hanse before accessing other suppliers, and the same principle applies to potatoes. Timung stated that these syndicates in the Diphu market are causing essential item prices to burden the general public. He called for an immediate halt to the syndicate system.
Timung appealed to CEM Tuliram Ronghang and officials from the Taxation department to take action against such activities. The allegations raise concerns about the fairness and accessibility of commodities in the market, impacting the daily lives of the community.
