FIR over ‘extortion’ at IAF station

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19

Following a news report in The Tribune, the police today swung into action over the issue of “goonda tax” collection from contractors and suppliers at Bhisiana Air Force Station and registered a case against unidentified accused.

A complaint was lodged by Surinder Walia, a contractor. An inquiry was conducted by Iqbal Singh, Station House Office (SHO), Bathinda Sadar, and a case was registered under Sections 341, 148 and 149 of the IPC against unidentified accused.

Naveen Singla, SSP, said no one would be allowed to collect “goonda tax”. The SSP said cases would also be registered after the verification of complaints regarding “goonda tax” at Guru Gobind Singh Refinery.

In their complaint, the contractors engaged at the Indian Air Force Station have complained that they are facing problems in getting the supply of material like sand and gravel for the last more than 15 days. “We are incurring financial losses due to high handedness of some mischievous elements in the local transport union. We have been paying ‘goonda tax’ of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per trailer,” they alleged.