NONGSTOIN: Following the allegation of imposing fines on truckers for damaging the road, the Executive Dorbar of Maweit has said that the VDP members penalised them for not following the COVID-19 protocol and that the VDP had acted according to the order of the Executive Dorbar.
Orius Thongni, secretary of Maweit village, told pressmen here that after the news appeared in a section of the newspapers, the Executive Dorbar called for an emergency meeting to discuss the matter along with the VDP.
“The fine was imposed because they violated the rule of village authority and the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong, Maweit area, besides the COVID-19 protocol,” Orius said.
He also informed that the VDP had warned twice before imposing the fine and that the penalty of Rs 3,000 was against three trucks.
While urging the truckers to refrain from tarnishing the image of the VDP, the Executive Dorbar has asked the drivers and the truck owners to come forward along with the evidence of their allegation.
The Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills had issued a restriction order stating that only the District Magistrate and the Executive Magistrate have the power to impose fines on violators of the health protocols.
The truckers and the truck owners of Nongstoin that carry essential commodities and timber had accused the Village Defend Party (VDP) from Maweit of penalising the truckers with a huge amount of money for damaging the road.
The truckers and the truck owners on Monday also alleged that the VDP of Maweit had fined them for violating the orders issued by the VDP. They also said that the penalty would vary from Rs 500 to Rs 3000.