Shillong, Nov 7: East Jaintia Hills district administration has maintained that no group will be permitted to take law into their hands during the ongoing strike by Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA) and resolved to provide security to trucks operated by other groups.
While MCTODA has remained adamant in their strike against cement factories operating in the district, representatives of JHTOA and EJHTOTA have expressed deep concern over the strike, saying their livelihoods are being adversely affected due to the illegal obstruction caused by the strike.
They have sought administrative support to ensure free and safe passage of their vehicles and requested inclusion in all future consultations on transport and freight-related issues.
In view of the prevailing circumstances, the district administration has reiterated that it remains committed to resolving industrial and transport-related issues through lawful dialogue and coordination.
“While every association has the right to raise genuine concerns, no group will be permitted to take law into their own hands, block public highways, or disrupt movement of essential goods and services,” it said.
The administration said it would continue to engage with all stakeholders — MCTODA, JHTOA, EJHTOTA, and JHCMA — to reach a fair and sustainable solution while upholding law and order, ensuring the free flow of traffic, and protecting the livelihood of transport workers across the district.
In a statement, the administration informed that MCTODA declined to attend a meeting convened on October 30 at the the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Khliehriat.
Representatives of Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturers Association (JHCMA), JHTOA and EJHTOTA attended the meeting.
The two other truckers’ bodies confirmed that they are operating smoothly with the cement plants and do not support the strike. They also submitted written communications expressing their commitment to maintain normal transportation activities.
In subsequent meetings convened on October 31 and November 3 between JHCMA and MCTODA, chaired by the DC, MCTODA raised demands including enforcement of notified freight rates, prevention of overloading, priority loading for local trucks, parking arrangements, timely freight payments, and labour compliance.
JHCMA clarified that the Government of Meghalaya’s notified freight rates for intra-state transportation within Meghalaya have already been implemented in full by all cement plants operating in the district.
However, MCTODA has demanded that the same notified rates be applied to inter-state transportation.
“It is important to note that no such provision exists in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and no State Government can notify transportation rates for inter -state transportation. Inter-state freight rates are determined by prevailing market conditions, distance, and mutual agreement between the consignor and the transporter. Therefore, the demand to impose state-notified rates on inter-state routes is illegal and beyond the legal jurisdiction of the State Government,” the official statement said.
Despite most of their other concerns being accepted by the cement plants, MCTODA refused to withdraw the strike and continued to obstruct the movement of trucks carrying cement and clinker along National Highway-6, disrupting essential transport and public movement.
Reports have also been received of incidents involving damage to vehicles and harassment of non-participating drivers. The district police of East Khasi Hills have therefore taken lawful measures to clear blockades, restore traffic, and ensure the safety of all road users, it said.
