Truckers under the banner of Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners’ and Drivers’ Association (MCTODA) have decided to suspend transportation of raw materials to a ferro alloy factory at Rwiang in West Khasi Hills in protest against the arrest of HANM West Khasi Hills president Arful Kharbani.
It may be noted that Kharbani was arrested by police for allegedly assaulting Mahesh Bhimsaria, the manager of Shree Shakambari Ferro Alloy Limited at Rwiang yesterday. Kharbani also allegedly damaged personal belongings of Bhimsaria.
Today, a delegation of MCTODA led by its president Mosklandar Marngar met Bhimsaria at his office to discuss the incident and urged him to withdraw the FIR lodged against Kharbani.
The delegation also raised the issue of delay in payment of bills to suppliers of coal, charcoal and quart by Shree Shakambari Ferro Alloy Limited. However, the discussion ended without any positive outcome.
Later, Marngar told media persons that Bhimsaria was responsible for delay in payment of bills to suppliers.
“He (Bhimsaria) always tried to harass suppliers and even threatened them when they came to seek payment of their bills. He would even claim that he had links with senior police officials and bureaucrats in the district,” Marngar stated adding that the arrest of Kharbani was uncalled for.
“He was denied his rights to be paid of his bills by the factory. When he protested he was framed by the manager of this factory,” Marngar said.
He also said that most truckers wanted closure of Shree Shakambari Ferro Alloy Limited for its failure to clear the bills.
“Until and unless Kharbani is released, we will stop ferrying coal, charcoal and quart to this coke factory,” the MCTODA president said.
