Extortions harming economy

Guwahati, July 13: Unabated extortion by several militant outfits operating in the state has posed a serious threat to the economy, if any, of the state. Of late many business organisations have shifted their base from the state to Siliguri and other places to escape the huge extortion demands from extremist outfits. It is a known fact that various central organisations operating in the state are also receiving demands from militants as well as a section of armed miscreants. The field operations of many such central organisations have been brought to a grinding halt depriving the common people of the benefit of various central schemes. All these are happening despite the much vaunted unified operation against militants in the State. Here is just only one example to show how a dreaded outfit has been thriving on extorted money in the State. The banned National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) had collected a whooping Rs 1,04,38,000 through extortion in the State during the period from August 1, 1996 to May 15, 1998, as per the outfit's 'audit report' for the 'session' 1997-98. The 'audited financial statement' bears signature of Capt. D Mwnswma, Auditor NDFB, Sergeant Major B Sherja, Auditor, NDFB and Sergeant Major B Bidang, Auditor, NDFB. As per the financial statement, the outfit spent an amount of Rs 1,11,46,543 crore in different heads including camp maintenance, arms and ammunition transhipments, vehicles and repairing, communication equipment etc. during the period. The outfit incurred Rs 30,02,126 in camp maintenance, Rs 19,09,059 in vehicles and repairing, Rs 10,19,460 in communication equipment, Rs 12,98,844 in arms and ammunition transportation, Rs 14,81,764 in mess and maintenance, Rs 2,47,589 to 'bail out' cadres, Rs 10,36,301 in travelling and dearness allowances. It spent different amounts in various other heads.