Tax-Free clothing racket unfolds in Assam's Dibrugarh ahead of durga puja

As the festive season of Durga Puja approaches, a notorious gang has been involved in a clandestine business of tax-free clothing, smuggling goods from other states via railways.

The smugglers have been evading police and customs authorities, utilizing Dibrugarh's Baniapur railway station to transport these goods to upper Assam districts, including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, and Mariani. According to sources, this illicit trade is reportedly led by businessmen from Tinsukia.

The gang's activities gained momentum after a recent seizure by Tinsukia police, who confiscated a large quantity of tax-free clothing brought from other states via railways. Following this, the gang appears to have shifted its focus to Dibrugarh's Baniapur and Dhamalgaon railway stations in an attempt to evade authorities.

Evidence of the smuggling operation was recently spotted at Baniapur railway station, where two coaches loaded with clothes were seen in the Dibrugarh-Howrah Kamrup Express. The labels on the goods suggested that they were meant for Tinsukia, further solidifying suspicions of the gang's operations.

The Janajati Aikya Mancha has demanded that police identify these tax-evading traders and impose exemplary punishment. However, despite the evidence, authorities seem oblivious to the clandestine business.

As the matter unfolds, it remains to be seen what action the tax department, Gabharupathar police, and railway authorities will take after being informed about the smuggled goods. The public is eagerly awaiting a response from the authorities to curb this illicit trade and bring the perpetrators to justice.