SHILLONG: Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem, has clarified that the release of the arrested leaders of the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owner and Driver Association (MCTODA) will be determined entirely by the Court.
The clarification comes after the detention of the association’s president and three others in connection with four registered cases linked to incidents of violence along the Jaintia Hills route.
According to SP Syiem, the arrests followed an incident on Thursday when a police-escorted convoy of trucks carrying cement and clinker from East Jaintia Hills was attacked with stones upon reaching Mawryngkneng Junction. Several vehicles were damaged, leading to the registration of multiple cases against the MCTODA leadership.
“Four cases have been registered against the leaders of MCTODA. Attempts were made today to secure bail for those arrested, but the final decision rests with the Court,” said SP Syiem.
Responding to allegations of police excess, the SP explained that officers were compelled to use lathi charge after members of the public, despite repeated appeals from the Magistrate, resorted to stone-pelting and assaulting truck drivers.
“The police acted strictly as per regulations to stop the assault on truckers. There was no misuse of power,” he asserted.
The SP further clarified that there is no external pressure to release the four arrested leaders, including MCTODA President Mosklandar Marngar, who were taken into custody on November 5 and charged under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act.
