By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 7: Police have filed an FIR against the Jaintia National Council (JNC) Western Zone following a protest against toll collection at the Pasyih-Ialong plaza on NH-6 in West Jaintia Hills.
The case was registered at the Phramer Traffic Cell after JNC members recently blocked the collection of fees from vehicles with ML-04 (West Jaintia Hills) and ML-11 (East Jaintia Hills) registration numbers. The organisation maintains that all local residents should be exempted from the toll.
JNC Western Zone president Hamehi Bamon, who was summoned by police on Thursday, was informed that a March 2026 order by the Deputy Commissioner only exempts private ML-04 vehicles from eight specific villages near the plaza: Ialong, Pasyih, Phramer, Sabah Mutwang, Muthlong, Mookaswan, Nangbah, and Mihmyntdu. Police warned the Council that obstructing the toll plaza is unlawful and must cease immediately. However, the JNC rejected the administration’s order, labelling it “discriminatory and divisive.”
Bamon argued that the road existed long before the toll plaza was established and questioned the lack of visible improvements to the highway despite the fees collected. He stated the issue reflects the collective grievance of the people of Jaintia Hills.
Warning of intensified agitation, the Council has sought an urgent meeting with the Deputy Commissioner to modify or withdraw the order. The JNC Western Zone is also scheduled to meet with its central leadership to finalise their next course of action.
