From Our Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, April 6: The South West Khasi Hills Truck Owners & Drivers Association (SWKHTODA) has accused the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners & Drivers Association (MCTODA) of harassing its members by forcibly unloading cargo and threatening drivers.
SWKHTODA president Skingford Nongbri expressed serious concern over the alleged highhandedness of MCTODA members. He claimed there have been multiple incidents where trucks transporting coke from factories in the Nongjri area, under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division, were stopped, and the cargo was unloaded and set on fire.
“It is distressing to see these incidents where the MCTODA obstructs our trucks and harasses our drivers. These actions have badly affected our members,” Nongbri said. He added that despite the provocation, the SWKHTODA has instructed its drivers not to react.
Truck drivers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the intimidation has left them feeling insecure while plying the roads or waiting at factory sites. “We feel very insecure because we are constantly monitored at the factories and while unloading,” one driver stated.
The conflict reportedly stems from a disagreement over loading protocols. During a meeting held last week at Nongjri, the SWKHTODA unanimously rejected a demand by the MCTODA to implement a serial number system for loading. Instead, the SWKHTODA is demanding a 50-50 split in loading opportunities between the two associations.
