JORABAT, July 17 - With the seizure of two trucks illegally carrying beetle nuts late last night, the thriving supari syndicate has come to light again, discrediting the government�s claim of putting an end to the syndicate raj in Assam.
It may be mentioned that some mediapersons got information that as many as 80 trucks illegally transporting beetle nuts from Mizoram via Silchar, were to reach Guwahati last night. Soon the mediapersons contacted Jorabat police calling for necessary steps, to which the latter replied that they have no authority to check trucks carrying beetle nuts.
Later during the night, a team of government officers, presumed to be a sales tax team of Guwahati, seized two trucks at Khanapara near Koinadhora police point, but left the spot with the trucks soon after some mediamen reached there to collect details.
The officers� behaviour of avoiding the media looked a bit awkward. Interestingly, the officers too were said to have prior information with them regarding the 80 trucks coming towards Guwahati.
Last night�s role of the police and the sales tax officers raised concerns among the conscious section of society and the student body of Jorabat regarding the flourishing supari syndicate in Assam. Questions have been raised as to why the government officers winded up their operation by seizing just two trucks even after being informed of the large number of trucks approaching the city at night.
Meanwhile, a speeding truck (NL 01N 8290) laden with beetle nuts met with an accident last midnight. The helper of the truck revealed that the truck had to pay bribe at various police checkgates to pass, as a large number of such trucks transport betel nuts without paying taxes.
It may be recalled that Akhil Gogoi had recently alleged that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, his Cabinet ministers, a few high officials of Assam Police and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) were helping racketeers to run coal and supari (betel nut) syndicates in the State.
