Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Jorhat dist admin warns against forceful collection of donations

By Staff Correspondent

JORHAT, May 31 - The Jorhat district administration has warned of initiating strong legal action against any organisation/self-styled leaders of so-called organisations or parties if found harassing traders and businessmen by way of unlawfully demanding donations.

A district administration official said that Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Roshni A Korati recently received several complaints from traders and business organisations about youths in groups claiming to be representing certain organisations, most of which were unheard of, seeking donations, often forcefully.

The source stated that in view of receiving such complaints, the Deputy Commissioner has asked the traders and businessmen to inform the police immediately if they face any kind of harassment from any person or a group demanding donation in the name of any so-called organisation.

Warning of taking strong action against any person or group found to be involved in seeking donations forcefully from the traders and business community, the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the district magistrate, has asked those involved in harassing the traders and businessmen to stay away from such activities in the future.

It may be mentioned here that a leading traders� body based here had submitted a memorandum to the Government about a month back mentioning about increasing cases of donation demands by youths in the name of various organisations.

The traders had said rising cases of seeking donations were hampering the business community in carrying out their regular activities.

During the last fortnight, the shopkeepers here faced threats from a group of youths, who in a vigilante manner were illegally entering shops and threatening shop-owners of using plastic carry bags, claiming that the district administration had banned sale and use of such bags, the traders� community said.

In reality, the district administration has prohibited selling, stocking and use of polythene bags which were below 51 microns.

The sources said the group demanded money from the shopkeepers even after they were selling carry bags that were 51 microns for enabling the customers to carry home the purchased items.

The group reportedly took away plastic bags from several shops forcefully, alleging that selling and using of the �banned� items by the shop-owners was illegal. The group later burnt the carry bags on the street in the busy commercial areas, sources informed.

Next Story