By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 26: The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners and Transporters Association and the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners’ Association, has intensified its indefinite protest by turning away bulker trucks operated by cement companies in East Jaintia Hills.
The agitation, which began on April 14 at Tuber Tahkhniang, initially targeted bulker trucks transporting cement. Since April 24, the JAC has expanded the protest to include trucks carrying cement and clinker for Star Cement, Dalmia Cement, and other firms.
JAC assistant secretary Deolangki Dkhar said the escalation is driven by two primary demands. First, the JAC is calling for a complete halt to the use of bulker trucks by cement companies, arguing that these vehicles have severely impacted the livelihoods of local truck owners.
Secondly, the committee is demanding that companies honour prior agreements. According to the JAC, associations were promised nine trips per day, but are currently receiving only three to six. Transporters also alleged they are forced to wait four to nine days at loading points, reducing them to just two or three trips per month.
“Under such conditions, how are we expected to repay bank loans, pay drivers’ wages, or manage household expenses?” Dkhar stated.
The JAC further alleged that while large cement companies were allowed to operate in the region to provide employment, the majority of jobs are being given to outsiders
Warning of further intensification if their demands are not met, the JAC stated that any untoward incidents arising from the protest would be the responsibility of the cement companies. The committee has urged its members to remain united and appealed to other regional organisations for support to safeguard the rights of local transporters.
