‘Syndicate Raj’ of Drugs To Coal: MP Pradyut Bordoloi Alleges Parallel Economy Run By Assam CM, Ministers

“Blinding people by the opium of religion, Himanta Biswa Sarma government has created a parallel economic system in the state from Dhubri to Sadiya and Diphu to Barak Valley”, these are the allegations made by a Congress MP from Assam against the Assam Government. Congress MP from Nagaon, Pradyut Bordoloi on Wednesday (December 24) made serious allegations against the BJP-led Assam government, claiming that a “parallel syndicate-based economy” is operating across the state under political patronage.

Addressing the media in Silchar after concluding his four-day Barak Valley tour as part of the Congress party’s manifesto consultation exercise, Bordoloi alleged that the government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has created what he described as a “Syndicate Raj” stretching from Dhubri to Sadiya and Diphu to the Barak Valley.

Bordoloi alleged that the syndicate system allegedly controls trade in commodities ranging from coal and Burmese supari (areca nut) to smuggled imported cigarettes and drugs, with massive cash flows influencing the economy. He further claimed that in the Barak Valley, the alleged syndicate is “supervised” by cabinet minister Kaushik Rai.

Making further allegations, Bordoloi claimed that trucks carrying Burmese supari were allegedly forced to pay Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakh per vehicle in cash, which, he alleged, ultimately reaches the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He also accused senior BJP leader and minister Pijush Hazarika of acting as a key Lieutenant to Sarma, allegedly travelling across districts, including Dima Hasao and Cachar to “collect taxes” for the syndicate.

“The syndicate system today exists for everything — Supari, coal, cigarettes and even drugs. Local areca nut growers are suffering the most. They are allegedly being forced to pay money even to sell their own produce,” Bordoloi said, adding that he believes religious polarisation is being used to divert attention and sustain the alleged system.

The Congress MP also alleged that thousands of acres of land are being allotted to the Adani Group for power projects, which he claimed is triggering protests and unrest in tribal-dominated regions. Referring to growing tensions in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, Bordoloi alleged that indigenous communities are opposing what he described as large-scale land acquisition.

He further alleged that drug cartels are operating with “government support”.