Forced collection of Puja donation in between NIT to Assam University, commuters harassed everyday

September 27: It’s a common scene every year not just before Durga Puja but also before Vishwakarma Puja, Durga Puja, Kali Puja and so on. Young boys who proclaim to be the members of local Puja Committees tie a rope across the road or block the road & forcefully collect money from the commuters. In fact, in between NIT, Silchar point till the gate of Assam University, there are atleast 5 such spots where commuters are forcibly stopped and compelled to pay money as donation in the name of Durga Puja.

Assam University teachers, students, and other general commuters are facing the same situation everyday. Unless and until, an amount is paid to them, they don’t allow the vehicles to pass through. Within a distance of around 5 kms, commuters are forced to halt at multiple spots. Both two and four wheelers passing through this road have to shell out money every time they travel in this route. If someone denies to pay money, then the boys out there on the streets abuses using foul language and creates a ruckus over there. They even threaten to damage the vehicles, if they are not paid donation.

A similar situation was also faced by 2 correspondents of way2barak when they were on their way to Assam University on an official assignment on Friday. The journalists were compelled to pay Rs.50 by ‘Youth Brothers Club Durga Puja Committee’, Silkorie Camp. After around half a kilometer, another group of boys again blocked the road and almost forcibly collected Rs. 50 once again. They gave the money receipt of a similar name as that of the previous. On the receipt, it was written ‘Youth Union Club Durga Puja Committee’, Silkorie Camp.

A senior Professor of Assam University told way2barak that this is a regular event. Everyday since the last fortnight they are extorting money from us in broad daylight. This he said is indeed very frustrating and feels that the district administration and police administration should take drastic steps so that such illegal collection of donation and harassment of commuters are stopped.