Pressure groups fed up with trucks transporting suspected illegal coal on backroads to avoid scrutiny by the authorities today decided to make a statement by filling in a potholed road with coal from a broken down lorry.
The pressure groups and locals believe that the Umrit-Umling Road has deteriorated because of the plying of heavily-laden trucks loaded with coal. One such truck (ML 6 4248) had broken down on the road some days ago, thereby causing a traffic jam.
Three pressure groups – Khasi Students Union, Federation of Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo People and Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation – condemned the lack of action against the transporters and unloaded the coal, using a JCB earthmover to fill in the potholes with the coal.
