HITO Urges KHADC to Investigate Rampant Illegal Tax Collection at Forest Checkpoints in Meghalaya
The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO), a prominent pressure group in Meghalaya, has issued a serious appeal to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to urgently investigate and take action against what it claims to be widespread illegal tax collection at council-operated checkpoints. The group’s call to action follows a fact-finding visit to the Puriang forest check gate in East Khasi Hills district, where members allegedly uncovered a disturbing pattern of unauthorized fee demands from commercial vehicles.
According to HITO, the illegal activities at the checkpoint involve the collection of unwarranted payments from transporters and drivers—many of whom are small-scale traders, daily wage earners, and labourers. The group revealed that those who refused to comply with the demands were threatened with confiscation of their goods and vehicles. HITO’s leadership stated that this unofficial taxation is not only unlawful but also immoral, particularly because it directly affects those struggling to make ends meet.
HITO alleges that this extortion is not merely the work of rogue checkpoint employees, but could be linked to higher-level corruption. The organization suspects that the operators of the checkpoints may be acting on instructions from the contractors or gate owners, who might be encouraging or at least turning a blind eye to the practice in exchange for illicit profit. According to the group, these acts are taking place under the guise of council authority, which not only undermines the integrity of KHADC but also violates the rights of ordinary citizens.
The pressure group did not make these accusations lightly. Members of HITO claim to possess eyewitness accounts and concrete evidence, including video recordings and testimonies from affected drivers. The group has formally submitted a memorandum to Shemborlang Rynjah, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC, demanding an immediate and impartial probe into the matter.
In its memorandum, HITO urged the Council to identify and penalize those responsible for the unauthorized tax collection and recommended the cancellation of contracts for gate operators found guilty of misconduct. It emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the administration of forest checkpoints, calling on KHADC to ensure that such violations do not recur in the future.
The revelations have sparked public concern across the Khasi Hills, especially among transporters who frequently traverse forest routes managed by the KHADC. Many of them echo HITO’s concerns, stating that they have long been subjected to arbitrary fees, often without receipts or official explanation. The issue has drawn attention to broader problems of governance and the need for stricter oversight of council-operated infrastructure.
In a time when Meghalaya’s citizens are already grappling with economic pressures, allegations of systematic extortion by authorities only deepen the hardship and mistrust among the people. HITO has made it clear that it will not back down until justice is served and has promised to continue its watchdog role in protecting public interests.
The ball is now in KHADC’s court, and all eyes are on whether the council leadership will rise to the occasion and address the charges with the seriousness they deserve. If left unchecked, such practices risk further eroding public confidence in local governance and exacerbating tensions in the region.
As this story develops, stakeholders, including civil society groups, legal experts, and policy watchers, will be closely monitoring how KHADC responds to the call for justice—hoping for a decisive move that restores faith in the rule of law and upholds the rights of the people.
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