Khliehriat, November 10: The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the East Jaintia Hills Truck Owner & Driver Association (EJHTOTA) and the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association (JHTOA), led by its Chairman, Ma Biangshwa Shylla, and Assistant Secretary, Ma Deolangki Dkhar, along with other leaders, today met the Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Ma Sniawbhalang Dhar, who also oversees the Transport Department.
They submitted a memorandum urging him to convene an urgent meeting with all concerned stakeholders in order to discuss, settle, and put an end to the ongoing shutdown of trucks transporting cement and clinker from the cement factories in East Jaintia Hills, following the agitation by the MCTODA.
On the same day, the JAC also intended to meet the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home, Bah Prestone Tynsong, but could not do so due to unavoidable circumstances. However, the same memorandum was submitted to him as well as to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, outlining the same demands.
Speaking to the media, JAC Chairman Ma Biangshwa Shylla said:
“During our meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister, we clearly explained to him the difficulties we have been facing for the past two weeks because our trucks have not been able to operate and earn their livelihood. We also expressed the pain and hardship faced by the truck owners, helpers, and drivers along with their families, relating to daily household needs like food, health issues, medical expenses, and other necessary requirements.”
Assistant Secretary Ma Deolangki Dkhar added:
“We also highlighted the crisis faced by truck owners and drivers regarding EMI payments to banks; school and hostel fees—which are now affecting the education and future of our children—as well as the upcoming Christmas and New Year season. Along with this, the state government’s revenue collection is also being affected due to this prolonged agitation.”
He further stated that the JAC reminded the Deputy CM about the government’s earlier assurance to arrange a stakeholders’ meeting after the Puja holidays and the Assembly Session, to discuss the JAC’s demand for revising the transportation rates for cement and clinker from the cement plants in East Jaintia Hills, along with other related issues affecting the livelihoods of local truck owners, handymen, and drivers.
According to the JAC, the meeting with the Deputy CM was positive and encouraging, as he sincerely listened to their grievances and assured them that he would soon discuss the matter with the government and take quick steps to resolve the issue so that the movement of trucks can resume smoothly.
The JAC strongly demanded that the government must call the stakeholders’ meeting without delay, because any further postponement will not only continue to cause suffering to thousands of families dependent on truck transportation, but may also lead to greater unrest, disorder, and instability across Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
Before concluding the discussion, the JAC cautioned the government that it must not forget to include the JAC itself in the proposed stakeholders’ meeting. Since the government had already assured this, failing to invite the JAC would be seen as deliberate neglect and could provoke another, even stronger phase of the truckers’ protest.