NONGPOH, Feb 11: Locals from Umtyrnga and Chibra villages along the Meghalaya-Assam border in Ri Bhoi on Wednesday stopped movement of trucks transporting stone chips and boulders from Meghalaya to Assam due to their alleged rash driving besides the damages on roads caused by plying of such trucks.
The protest soon turned into an altercation as the quarry and stone crusher owners debated that the villagers, who were supported by the Meghalaya Peoples Social Organisation Western Ri Bhoi, had no authority to stop movement of trucks as they have paid all the necessary fees to the respective authority. However, the organisation, on the other hand, alleged that most of these stone quarry and stone crusher owners do not posses any valid document for operation.
As per reports, the villagers have received several complaints regarding daily movement of hundreds of trucks transporting stone chips and boulders to Assam from the village areas.
It was also alleged that the movement of the heavy vehicles has damaged the roads.
Organisation president, Ringkumni Marak, alleged that rash driving by the truckers is another issue affecting the local residents at large.
Further, the villagers and the MPSO have sought Ri Bhoi district administration’s intervention into the issue.
