Shillong, Nov 7: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has demanded release of the arrested leaders of agitating Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA) and alleged unpaid dues by cement factories to the local truckers.
The company has paid the rates to the truckers as per government standards, but the payment has not been received by all truckers, JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said citing a meeting with MCTODA.
He also alleged that the district council had encouraged non-tribal businesses, allowing companies to acquire their own trucks.
This has affected livelihoods of local truck owners and drivers, the JNC said.
“The JNC strongly urges the district council to enforce non-tribal trade regulations and the state government to impose restrictions on vehicle acquisitions by these companies to protect the interests of indigenous people,” he said.
Terming the arrest of MCTODA leaders “counterproductive to the goal of finding a resolution”, it said, “If the government genuinely seeks peace, it must release the MCTODA leaders to facilitate discussions.”
The JNC has called for unity among truck owners and drivers, urging the JAC of the Jaintia Hills Trucks Association, the East Jaintia Trucks Association, and MCTODA to come together to address the issue.
“These companies are employing tactics to divide us, creating distinctions that will weaken our collective efforts against them,” Lyngdoh warned.
In an emergency CEC meeting to discuss further actions, the JNC has condemned alleged threats made by a non-tribal company head against MCTODA leaders.
“We will not tolerate any forces that seek to undermine us as an indigenous community,” Lyngdoh stated.
