Several goods trucks that were supposed to pass through the government-established Killing weighbridge in Ri-Bhoi were forced to halt operations temporarily after the Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) decided to inspect the weighbridge’s operations.
The pressure group’s intention was to scrutinise the functioning of the weighbridge and examine the documents related to its operation and the trucks passing through it.
When they arrived the HNYF found that extra police and CRPF personnel had been deployed to ensure that the inspection did not escalate into a public disturbance.
HNYF members stated that the inspection was prompted by reports suggesting irregularities involving trucks carrying materials such as boulders, stones, sand, earth and other goods being transported from Killing to Assam.
The pressure group was surprised that, though there were plenty of security personnel present, there were no trucks at the weighbridge. According to the HNYF, on other days overloaded trucks frequently pass through this route without any restrictions. This sudden absence of trucks thus raised their suspicions.
The HNYF clarified that they were not opposed to the existence of the government-installed weighbridge but were concerned about the lack of proper documentation for the trucks. They stressed on the importance of ensuring that Meghalaya does not suffer revenue loss from the lax taxation and checking of the transportation of resources out of the area.
The HNYF also said that unchecked exploitation in the Killing area has led to environmental damage that has severely affected the hills, rivers, and natural surroundings.
