From Our Correspondent
TURA, Dec 28: Social activist Cherian Momin has urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to immediately halt the transit of stones exported from Bhutan to Bangladesh, which passes through Assam and Meghalaya.
In his letter, Momin called for an inquiry into what he described as exploitative and illegal activities, which he alleged have led to overloading, unauthorised transport syndication, extortion and extensive infrastructural damage.
“It is imperative that the state government takes immediate and decisive action to halt these illegal operations, ensure adherence to the terms of the agreement and protect the interests of the people and infrastructure of Meghalaya,” said Momin.
While acknowledging the importance of the Bhutan-India-Bangladesh trade initiative, Momin emphasised the need to operate strictly within the agreement’s framework.
“The trucks, currently being used for the transportation of stones, are not from Bhutan. This is a direct violation of the agreement’s terms, which presumes that Bhutanese trucks would transport the boulders. Moreover, it is a well-documented fact that multiple-axle trucks, which are now seen operating extensively on these routes, do not function in Bhutan. This raises serious questions about the authenticity and legality of these operations,” he added.
Momin alleged that the transportation is controlled by Indian mafias and illegal groups exploiting the situation for personal gain.
He went on to claim that their activities have severely damaged two critical roads, NH-51 and AMPT, which are lifelines for the residents of Garo Hills. These activities, according to Momin, have also created fear and uncertainty among locals.
He asserted that there is sufficient evidence, including findings from RTI requests, to demonstrate the illegal overloading of trucks on these routes.
Seeking immediate halt to such illegal activities, Momin recommended an immediate ban on third-party trucks from India and proposed that NH-51 (Paikan-Tura-Dalu) be excluded entirely from transportation routes, with transportation activities adhering to legal guidelines.
Momin then called for an independent investigation into the operations and demanded accountability from those involved.