SHILLONG: Tensions escalated in the city on Tuesday as the Ka Synjuk ki Trai bad Nongniah Kali Kamai ka Bri u Hynniewtrep (KSTNKKBH), a prominent umbrella body of commercial vehicle owners and drivers, issued a seven-day ultimatum to Meghalaya Police to arrest an individual accused of assaulting and threatening a local driver with a firearm.
The protest, backed by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), saw a large gathering of drivers from across sectors—including tourist taxis, local taxis, pick-up trucks, and heavy vehicles—assemble at the Soso Tham monument to condemn the alleged attack on a Sohra-based driver.
According to union leaders, the victim was on duty when he was intercepted, physically assaulted, and verbally abused. The situation reportedly escalated when the accused brandished a firearm, allegedly threatening the driver’s life.
Following the protest, a delegation proceeded to the office of the Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills). In the absence of the SP, a formal complaint was submitted to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), outlining two key demands.
The union has called for the immediate arrest of the accused within seven days and sought the cancellation of the individual’s arms license. It further demanded that if the weapon is found to be unlicensed, the accused must be booked under stringent provisions of the Arms Act.
“A person who uses a firearm to terrorize the public is unfit to possess such a weapon,” said Balajied Jyrwa, a senior leader of the Synjuk.
The KSTNKKBH warned that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe would lead to intensified agitation across the state.
“We urge the authorities to act swiftly so that drivers—many of whom depend on daily earnings—can carry out their work without fear. If justice is delayed, we will be compelled to take further action to safeguard our community,” Jyrwa added.
The protest underscores growing concerns within the transport community over safety and law enforcement, with the union asserting that drivers form the backbone of Meghalaya’s economy and must be protected.
