SHILLONG, May 26: The East Khasi Hills district administration said the order to ban the collection of tolls by the Hima Sohra from trucks entering the Majai land customs station for export was issued after it received complaints about the alleged illegal collection.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, SC Sadhu said on Sunday that there are reports about law-and-order problems, prompting the order.
“There are complaints about illegal collection of tolls by people stationed at the toll gate. (Representatives of) the Hima Sohra can come to the office to question the order but they have not so far,” he said.
He, however, said the administration is aware of the order issued by the High Court of Meghalaya in 2022.
Stating that even if the high court (HC) allowed the collection of the customary toll by the Hima Sohra, he said any person operating the toll gate could do anything without a proper accountability system.
“There should be a transparent procedure in the collection of the customary toll but transparency contradicts the HC order, which does not permit anyone to collect the customary toll as per their whims and fancies,” Sadhu said.
Earlier, the KHADC had announced plans to engage with the district administration to resolve the ongoing dispute regarding the toll collection by Hima Sohra, which the HC previously allowed. The issue has arisen from conflicting orders about the collection of customary tolls on a specific stretch of the road.
The Syiem of Sohra emphasised the potential legal repercussions if the district administration enforces a prohibition on toll collection by the Hima.
“If the district administration prohibits the Hima of Sohra from collecting the customary toll, it will attract contempt of court,” Syiem stated.
The HC had permitted the Hima Sohra to collect Rs 200 from trucks for road maintenance between Umdud and Zero Point, as outlined in its interim order on April 13, 2022.
The Syiem of Sohra argued that the district magistrate’s order violates the HC’s interim order and that the closure occurred amid efforts to resolve unrest in Majai village.
Furthermore, the office of Syiem of Sohra plans to issue a show cause notice to the Umdud-Zero Point Road maintenance contractor, Tamdor Sing Nadon over complaints of non-maintenance from Majai residents.
Sadhu recently imposed an indefinite prohibition on unauthorised toll collections in the district, issuing a strict warning against violators.
The order cited reports of illegal toll collection by the Syiem of Sohra at Rs 400 per export truck, which could potentially lead to law-and-order issues.
