In a startling revelation, the person who had been accused of running a poultry syndicate based in neighbouring Lahorijan (Karbi Anglong), has strongly refuted the allegation and instead pointed fingers at certain elements for allegedly misleading the Poultry Union Dimapur, which imposed an indefinite ban on import of poultry into Dimapur.
Addressing media at Hotel Rains Inn at Lahorijan, Ranjit Teron, a poultry trader whose name has been linked to a syndicate operating from Lahorijan, has refuted the allegations and dared anyone to prove them. It may be recalled that PUD had accused Teron of indulging in shady business such as illegal tax imposed on poultry at Lahorijan bound for Dimapur. Teron said he could not respond to the PUD allegations as he was out of station. He has also come forward to answer every allegation in order to prove his innocence.
Teron has also thrown an open challenge to any individual or organization to file FIR against him if they have any evidence to back their allegations. On No objection Certificate issued by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Teron said the rationale behind obtaining NoC for the trade license, was a legal requirement as outlined in the KAAC Act that mandated businesses to operate with valid licenses.
Referring to the recent ban on import of poultry to Dimapur by the PUD, Teron claimed that the decision to ban import of poultry was swayed by “Bangladeshi syndicates”. He urged upon PUD to verify his claim and also for PUD to reconsider its stance.
Teron specifically named three individuals– Arif, Badrul, and Mustafa– who he alleged, were responsible for creating the current chaos and disruption of business. He said these individuals lacked proper documentation and were responsible for creating confusion within the poultry industry. He appealed PUD not to be brainwashed by these individuals who were involved in dubious trade practices and also not to act on their whims.
On the charge that he arbitrarily imposed Rs 30 per kg for poultry consignments meant for Nagaland, Teron denied collecting any additional fee beyond the standard poultry prices. He also assured that his shop, along with others, adhere to fair pricing practices without imposing unauthorised taxes.
Instead, Teron pointed out that the price of live broiler had been significantly reduced after he had obtained trade license and signalling the positive impact of his business practices.
Teron also clarified that he was not involved in inspecting poultry consignments meant for Nagaland and also dismissed allegations that he was allegedly collecting an extra sum. Teron said the NoC issued to him was to solely authorise him conduct business operations and not to conduct inspections.
He urged upon poultry buyers in Nagaland not be swayed by the false allegations levelled against him by the syndicate run by non-Nagas but to verify the facts and prices by visiting any poultry trader in the vicinity of Lahorijan to know the truth and the reality.
Further, Teron said the allegation that dead chickens were supplied to Nagaland had been resolved with the intervention of KAAC.
Supplementing Teron’s statement, his business partner Sarsing Engti termed PUD’s allegations as baseless. He asserted that if any illegal activities were being conducted, their licenses would have been revoked, and legal action would have been taken against them.
He also alleged that the illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were fooling the Naga poultry traders. Engti therefore urged Naga poultry traders to deal directly with the main suppliers and not let middleman/syndicates dictate terms.