SHILLONG: Leaders of the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owner and Driver Association (MCTODA) have demanded the immediate release of their President, Moskalender Marngar, stating it is a prerequisite for advancing any discussions with the government.
Speaking on the matter, Moonlight Pyrtuh, the Vice President of MCTODA, emphasized that if the Government desires dialogue, they must first release the MCTODA President so he can clarify their demands.
”We are making it very clear that the agitation is not against the Government, the District Administration, or the Police. The protest is against the Cement Factories because we have not received any response from the factories even after meeting them two or three times,” he stated.
He further alleged, “We are protesting peacefully and have not used force. Instead, it was the police who came and used batons, assaulted, and fired tear gas at us while we were sitting at the protest site.”
The Vice President informed that currently, only company-owned vehicles are plying. He urged the Government to release the President, warning that if the release is delayed, they will be forced to continue their agitation.
Key Demands and Context of the Agitation
The main objective of MCTODA is to secure a fair and appropriate rate for transportation services, in line with the rate prescribed by the Government.
The Association’s indefinite strike began on October 27, 2025, with two core demands:Cement Factories must exclusively employ truck drivers from the state for work.Factories must pay the transportation fare as per the rate set by the State Government.
MCTODA is specifically demanding a uniform rate, as they claim the rate for transporting goods outside Meghalaya is significantly lower than the rate within the state. The Government, however, has clarified that it cannot fix rates for areas outside its jurisdiction.
Arrest of MCTODA Leaders and Subsequent Standoff
The MCTODA President, Moskalender Marngar, and three other members (Heibor Pariat, Teibor Marngar, and Thrangbor Lyngdoh) were arrested on the morning of November 5, 2025, in Mawryngkneng Junction.
The arrests followed a confrontation with the Police when a group of over 200 protestors blocked National Highway 6, preventing Police from escorting trucks carrying cement and clinker from Puriang.
Following the arrests, MCTODA refused to hold talks with the Government until all the arrested members are released.
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Government and Other Truckers’ Stance
The Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong had reiterated the Government’s willingness to engage in dialogue, but maintained that the issue is a commercial matter between the Factories and the Transporters, and the Government cannot fix rates outside its jurisdictional limits.
Meanwhile, another body, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which includes the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association (JHTOA) and the East Jaintia Hills Truck Owner & Transporter Association (EJHTOTA), decided to resume transportation work and demanded that the Government ensure the smooth and orderly movement of their trucks.
Legal Recourse by MCTODA
MCTODA also announced its plan to file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), in addition to filing an application in the High Court of Meghalaya against the alleged excessive force used by the Police.
This ongoing situation highlights the continuing difficulties between the truckers and the Cement Factories, severely impacting the movement of goods on the National Highway and leading to conflict with law enforcement agencies.
