NONGSTOIN: Truck drivers have alleged that they are being extorted at Maweit toll gate in West Khasi Hills.
The drivers on Sunday said the toll gate was set up illegally without government licence.
“It is run by the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong of Maweit and was set up after the Supreme Court order to allow transportation of extracted coal in Meghalaya,” said one of the drivers.
Maweit is known to be one of the peaceful areas for coal business as there are no militant activities. However, the truckers were surprised to find the illegal toll gate.
D. Kharsati, a coal truck driver, informed that the toll gate associates give them slips of Rs 50 and take the money as donation. “If they need donation we are happy to give but we are shocked to learn that each truck has to pay Rs 50 per trip, which is not acceptable,” he said.
The truckers demanded immediate intervention from the district administration as one illegal toll gate might lead to another in the future.
The Supreme Court had extended the deadline for transporting extracted coal in the state and March 31, 2018, is the last date.
