Shillong: Pressure groups in Meghalaya have launched an effort to block non-local transporters from coal and limestone routes in West Jaintia Hills. The Khasi Students’ Union and the Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People intercepted more than 200 trucks on Wednesday, claiming the vehicles lacked the mandatory trading licences required to operate in the state.
The organizations ordered the drivers to return to their home states and subsequently filed a formal demand with the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council. They are calling for an immediate freeze on issuing new trading licences to non-locals in the transport sector, arguing that indigenous residents are being sidelined by outside competition.
FKJGP general secretary Nangkhraw Rani accused the Council of neglect, stating the organization has been “sleeping at the wheel” regarding the regulation of non-local traders. KSU West Jaintia Hills president Laitphar Syngkrem warned that the unions would keep monitoring transit routes to enforce trade laws, citing the lack of an Inner Line Permit as a primary reason for their direct intervention.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar urged the groups to follow legal channels instead of taking enforcement into their own hands. He confirmed that the government is in contact with the district administration to resolve the dispute through established legal frameworks.
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