The Dimapur Police Commissionerate has successfully dismantled a nexus involved in Maximum Retail Price (MRP) fraud and extortion. The operation, carried out on 23 April, led to the arrest of three individuals who had been using price tagging devices to manipulate prices and extort money from business owners in Dimapur.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Khekato Zhimomi, a 35-year-old Tatar of NSCN (IM); Khukivi Aye, a 29-year-old Leacy of NSCN (IM); and Rabi Dey, a pan shop vendor in the Sematilla colony of Dimapur.
The trio had been operating a scheme in which they planted MRP tagging devices and tags in selected shops, orchestrated by the two NSCN (IM) cadres in collusion with Dey.
The modus operandi of the fraudulent scheme involved raiding the targeted shops and accusing the owners of removing original MRP tags and replacing them with inflated prices using the tagging devices.
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Shop owners were then abducted or summoned to NSCN (IM) camps, where they faced harassment, torture, and coercion to make confession videos admitting to price tampering.
Through this scheme, the trio managed to extort substantial amounts of money from several business owners in Dimapur.
During the operation, the police seized one price tagging device from Rabi Dey’s shop and revealed that three other devices had already been used, with another expected to be delivered on 27 April.
A suo moto case has been registered under relevant provisions of the law at East Police Station and West Police Station, and investigations are currently underway.
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The arrests come at a crucial time, as the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) had recently raised concerns about the use of “own MRP stickers” by some entities to illegally inflate prices.
The police action sends a strong message to those engaging in such fraudulent activities and aims to restore consumer trust in the local market.
The impact of these fraudulent activities on the local economy and consumer confidence cannot be understated. By manipulating prices and extorting money from business owners, the nexus not only harmed individual shopkeepers but also contributed to an atmosphere of fear and mistrust in the market.
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The successful operation by the Dimapur Police Commissionerate is a step in the right direction towards creating a fair and transparent business environment in Dimapur. It is hoped that this action will deter others from engaging in such fraudulent activities and contribute to the overall economic well-being of the region.
The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to price manipulation or extortion. By working together, the community and law enforcement agencies can help create a safer and more prosperous business environment for all.
