By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 27: The Executive Dorbar of Hima Sohra will meet to discuss the recent order of the East Khasi district administration, banning the collection of tolls by the Hima Sohra from trucks entering the Majai land customs station for export.
Hima Sohra secretary BV Rymmai told The Shillong Times on Monday that the Executive Dorbar will soon decide on the next course of action to protest the order issued by Deputy Commissioner SC Sadhu.
“We will also deliberate on the letter we received from the DC at the Executive Dorbar,” he said.
Denying illegal collection at the toll gate of the Hima, Rymmai said they collect Rs 200 as customary toll from trucks which enter or leave the land custom station.
Earlier, the district administration said it had issued the order following receipt of complaints about the alleged illegal collection. Sadhu said reports about law and order problems prompted 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.
The DC said even if the High Court allowed the collection of the customary toll by the Hima Sohra, it does not mean that any person operating the toll gate can do anything without a proper accountability system.
“There should be a transparent procedure in the collection of the customary tolls. The HC order does not permit anyone to collect the customary tolls as per their whims and fancies,” he had stated.
Earlier, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council stated that it has plans to engage with the district administration to resolve the dispute. 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 be a 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.