SHILLONG, NOV 10: Dolloi of Elaka Narpuh Manbha Kyndoh has asked the state government to end the ongoing illegal transportation strike by the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners & Drivers Association (MCTODA) as it is affecting the livelihood of thousands of indigenous people from the region.
“This strike has impacted all the indigenous people in a very massive way for no fault of ours. We strongly feel that unless immediate measures are not taken by the government of Meghalaya and local administration, it may have a long-term irreparable cascading impact on we the local people,” Kyndoh said in a memorandum submitted on behalf of the people of Elaka to the deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills on Monday.
“…on behalf of the all the villages under this Dolloiship, with earnest request to local administration as well as Government of Meghalaya to resolve this matter without any further delay so that we and our families come out from the fear of livelihood threat, state of grief and sorrow forced upon us by MCTODA and their supporting groups without any fault of us,” he added.
The strike, which began on October 27, 2025, has halted cement plant operations, affecting 2,500-3,000 direct employees and thousands more indirectly, including suppliers, drivers, and laborers.
The local community is struggling to access essential goods and services, and development work has come to a standstill.
The memorandum said, “This transportation strike called by MCTODA from 27th Oct 2025 has now entered 15th day and as per our information the complete operation of cement plants has come to stand still and our day-to-day livelihood has severely got impacted,” the Daloi said adding “As per our own understanding and as per discussion we had with various Headmen of Elaka, not less than 40 to 50 thousand indigenous people are directly hit by this irrational and illegal strike called by MCTODA which has ripple effect on we the local people. This is over and above the number of countless families of local drivers, handyman, roadside-Dhaba, who earn their livelihood from plying these trucks on the road.”
It said the strike has also resulted in the stoppage of local development work which was being carried out by these cement plants in form of their CSR Activities leading to the disruption of development work in the village.
“We have also been given to understand that funds collected under DMF shall also get impacted on account of non-operation of these cement plants which will further impact local development.”
Slamming the MCTODA for creating such a financial hardship ahead of Christmas celebration, the memorandum said, “We have no feelings left towards celebrating the festival for which we wait for a year and make lots of plans of fun and enjoyment. At this juncture, we are totally distressed and under grief and state of sorrow.”
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