Shillong, Jan 7, 2014: The proscribed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has today warned all traders, book dealers, fake companies, including government servants and officials who it claims are ‘engaged in misguiding the villagers and poor people in various schemes,’ as well as the police who it says are ‘responsible for the rise of prices in essential commodities, as they are engaged in direct extortion from truck drivers supplying essential commodities to the region.
An email sent to several papers here in Shillong and signed by its mysterious Publicity Secretary Saiñkupar Nongtraw also stated that 2014 will be known as the “The Year of The Poor” adding that the ‘central command has decided on January 6 to dedicate its services for the up-liftment of the poor.’
Sending out a warning to book retailers, Nongtraw in the email said, “It has come to the notice of the council that various book retailers are engaged in manipulating the prices of books by starting of February every year. This is the beginning of the year and most of the poor people are preparing for the educational needs of their children including schools and colleges.”
Simultaneously, the HNLC appeals to private educational institutions to
come up with a strategy to reduce the burden of the parents by cutting
down expenses related in extra-curricular activities.
“The Education system must not take form of a business. The high price rise in
educational expenses has affected many poor families in the entire Hynñiewtrep. Apart from this problem the so called Governmental educational agencies should come up with strategies to help school dropouts, as the dropouts are most influenced by drugs, alcohol and Unemployment,” the email read.
Further, the statement pointed out to the high price rise in essential commodities saying that it is also a major factor that affects the poor directly.
“The council warns traders who are involved in creating a fluctuation of prices in the market. Most of the time people from the villages are taken advantage of this situation, especially in Ïewduh and various markets across Shilling town. Any complaints received by the HNLC against any trader will be taken in a serious note,” while at the same time blaming the police for the price rise.
“The Police department is solely responsible for the rise of prices in essential commodities as they are engaged in direct extortion from truck drivers supplying essential commodities to the region. These extortionists are the real criminals who can manipulate law and its agencies whereas petty thieves are given rigorous punishment by the law agencies and convicted,” the statement read while at the same time supporting local vendors’ right.(SP News)
