Govt ‘mum’ on WKH truckers’ demand

NONGSTOIN: The State Government is yet to respond to the demand of truckers in West Khasi Hills to remove the two weighbridges set up at Mawpun and Nongprut in Mawshynrut.
The truckers are on strike since February in protest against the move to set up the weighbridges.
Hundreds of coal trucks which used to ply from Riangdo to Athiabari were diverted to Nongshram – Dainadubi in protest against the setup of two weighbridges in Riangdo area.
President of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Shallang Truck Association, Harley Synshiang, told The Shillong Times that the strike is running for two months now but the Government is silent.
Synshiang said in a meeting with the JAC and Transport Minister HDR Lyngdoh before the Assembly session, the latter had assured that the truckers’ problem would be solved. The truckers want the weighbridge at Athiabari, “which is the exit point”.
However, the Government issued fresh order to set up weighbridges at Mawpun and Nongprut.
The truckers met the deputy commissioner on March 11 and sought intervention. But the DC informed them that he had no power to scrap the order.
Meanwhile, coal traders are in a spot as the last date for transport of extracted coal, as per the NGT order, is May 31.
The truckers’ committee said it will continue the strike till the Government rolls back its order.