Illegal toll gates
large scale extortion in the illegal check gates of North Garo Hills, the Goalpara Truckers Association has decided not to ply through the Goalpara-Nangalbibra road.
The Association claimed that a single truck has to shell out approximately around Rs 65000 in all the check gates that have been set up across the National Highway 62 and the association has even threatened to impose an economic blockade to stop the supply of essential commodities to Garo Hills if the Meghalaya Government failed to take remedial steps.
In addition, the truckers also have to pay hefty amount to militants and dacoits who extort from the truckers.
However, North Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner W Khyllep informed that he has deployed magistrates and police all along the highway to ensure there is no illegal collection from the truckers.
He also said that the District Administration closes down such illegal toll gates if any complaint is forwarded to them.
“There are two police outposts in my districts and police patrol party is manning the road,” he said.
On the other hand, East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Vijay Kumar Mantri said that there are two toll gates in his district, one of which belongs to the Government and a case is going on for the other toll gate.
He also stated that militants usually don’t extort on the national highways and they usually extort from the roads which are constructed in the deep forests of Nangalbibra.
It may be mentioned that the Goalpara Truckers Association have also expressed their grievances before the Deputy Commissioners of both the districts.