Shillong : The Hills Farmer Union (HFU), Ri-Bhoi District, has alleged that an illegal collection racket is operating along National Highway-6 at Byrnihat, where vehicles transporting livestock are reportedly being forced to pay large sums of money before entering Meghalaya.
According to the union, the alleged practice has been continuing for some time and affects vehicles carrying cattle, pigs, poultry, fish, and other livestock from outside the state.
The allegations came to light after several cattle truck drivers claimed they were required to pay ₹4,000 for pickup vehicles and ₹15,000 for trucks carrying cattle as an unofficial entry fee into Meghalaya.
Drivers further alleged that registration numbers of vehicles that had already made the payment were available at the Byrnihat Police Station, while vehicles that had not paid were reportedly stopped from entering the state.
The drivers said they were unaware of who was collecting the money, as the payments were allegedly made in advance by livestock owners. Their role, they claimed, was only to verify at the Byrnihat checkpoint whether their vehicle registration number appeared on the approved list before being allowed to proceed.
Speaking to the media, HFU Ri-Bhoi District General Secretary Bah Alfonbirth Kharsyntiew said the union had recently met the District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer to discuss complaints regarding the alleged illegal collection from livestock transport vehicles.
To verify the allegations, HFU leaders visited Byrnihat on Monday and claimed they found a system where vehicles carrying livestock were being checked based on whether payment had allegedly been made.
The union has demanded that the matter be thoroughly investigated to identify those responsible for the alleged illegal collection and ensure transparency in the movement of livestock transport vehicles entering Meghalaya.