The Syiem of Hima Sohra has said that the ban on collection of toll by the hima from export trucks entering the Majai land custom station is a blatant contempt to degrade the order of the High Court.
The ban was enforced by the East Khasi Hills district administration. Reacting to the prohibition, the Hima Sohra has decided to indefinitely close the road from Umdud to Zero Point.
In a letter to the Superintendent, Majai Land Custom station the Hima Sohra stated that the collection of the customary toll was authorised by the High Court of Meghalaya both Single and Division bench.
The Syiem of Hima Sohra said that the order of the District Magistrate is in contravention with the interim order dated April 13, 2022 of the Meghalaya High Court which had permitted to charge a customary toll of Rs 200 per vehicle for the use of the Umdud to Zero point road by Hima Sohra and its dorbar with a direction to maintain the road.
The Hima Sohra pointed out that even the Division bench of the then Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge, in its judgment dated 2/6/2022 had reiterated the fact that Hima Sohra Syiemship have due authority to levy the toll, hence it had upheld the order of the single bench dated April 13, 2022 and had not interfered with its interim order.
He also said that this order of closure is also in the midst of unrest and tension in village Majai which the Hima Sohra is trying its level best to redress their grievances at the earliest so as to reach an amicable solution.
“Hence, to avoid any law and order situation in the said area, closure of the road is needed to ease the tension arising therein from all quarters,” the Hima Sohra said.
The Hima Sohra also said that it will also call for show cause to the road maintenance contractor Tamdor Sing Nadon to whom the road maintenance had been entrusted to.
