Imposition of Sec 144 creates resentment among truckers

From A Correspondent

SHILLONG, May 5: The decision of the West Khasi Hills district administration to impose section 144 along the Nongstoin-Shillong Highway has brought resentment among truckers carrying coal.

Taking up the issue on behalf of truckers the West Khasi Student’s Union (WKSU) on Friday met the Meghalaya Chief Secretary KS Kropha to apprise him of the problems faced by those transporting coal.

According to the WKSU general secretary, D Sun the state government at the fag end of the transportation period of coal allowed by the tiol Green Tribul realised that it is losing revenue from trucks transporting coal through the Nongstoin-Shillong route.

Sun asked, “What was the government doing all these months? Now there are only a few weeks left for the transportation period to end,” he said.

It may be mentioned that the NGT had given time till May 31 for transportation of coal.

Reiterating that those trucks origiting from Maweit and Nongstoin have to traverse outside the state and re- enter Meghalaya to reach their destitions be it the industrial areas in Umiam and Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district or the cement plants in Jaintia Hills.

The student’s union also said that coal traders are facing difficulty to transport coal from Nongstoin via Athiabari to their respective destitions.

“There are two weigh bridges one in Mawpun and one in Domprut and both are not functioning properly and the loaded trucks are confused where to measure,” the WKSU said.

Meanwhile, adviser of the WKSU, Moslander Marngar quoting the Chief Secretary said that he had only asked the deputy commissioner of West Khasi Hills to check trucks carrying coal without challans thereby causing revenue leakage, but the district administration went on to impose section 144 CrPC.