Shillong, Nov 10: The Dolloi of Elaka Narpuh, Manbha Kyndoh, has slammed the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners & Drivers Association (MCTODA) for continuing its “illegal strike” affecting livelihood of thousands of indigenous people and urged the state government to step in to end it.
The strike, which began on October 27, 2025, has halted cement plant operations, affecting 2,500-3,000 direct employees and thousands more indirectly, including suppliers, drivers, and labourers.
“We have no feelings left towards celebrating Christmas for which we wait for a year and make lots of plans of fun and enjoyment,” the Dolloi stated in a memorandum submitted on behalf of the people of Elaka Narpuh to the deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills.
Slamming the MCTODA for creating such a financial hardship, he said, “This strike has impacted all the indigenous people in a very massive way for no fault of ours. We strongly feel that unless immediate measures are not taken by the government of Meghalaya and local administration, it may have a long-term irreparable cascading impact on we the local people.”
“As per our own understanding and as per discussion we had with various Headmen of Elaka, not less than 40 to 50 thousand indigenous people are directly hit by this irrational and illegal strike called by MCTODA… This is over and above the number of countless families of local drivers, handyman, roadside dhabas…,” he said.
The strike also resulted in a halt to local development work carried out through CSR funds of these cement plants, the memorandum stated.
