From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, April 14: The East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Transport Association (EJHTOTA) and the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association (JHTOA) have launched an indefinite strike against the operation of bulker trucks in the region.
The two associations, operating under a Joint Action Committee (JAC), began their protest at Tuberkmai Shnong Tahkhniang on National Highway-6. The move follows a formal notice submitted to East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar on April 11.
During the strike, volunteers and members turned back several bulker trucks to their loading points.
JHTOA President Biangshwa Shylla stated that the associations took action after cement plants failed to respond to their concerns. He explained that the presence of 200–300 bulker trucks has severely impacted local transporters, with daily loading opportunities at cement plants dropping from 80 trucks to as few as 15.
EJHTOTA President Kyrshan Dkhar added that the strike was also prompted by a shift in how cement is transported. Companies are increasingly loading cement powder directly into bulker trucks rather than using traditional sacks, leading to fears that local owners will lose their reserved loading quotas.
While the associations have not yet gathered data on the ownership of these bulker trucks, they expressed concern over potential proxy ownership. Although the cement companies reportedly claimed they only supply to contractors, the JAC noted a significant surge in the number of these trucks over the past year.
The JAC has urged other stakeholders in the transport business to support the movement, maintaining that the strike will continue until their demands are addressed.
