Shillong, Oct 8: The Federation of Khasi Jaintia And Garo People (FKJGP), Purakhasia Unit, has asked the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills to stop plying of boulder exporting/ heavy trucks during school hours and set minimum speed limit on the road crossing the Purakhasia region.

In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner on Thursday, the FKJGP said the reasons for their demands is that both the transport department and traffic police are seen to be negligent or have failed to maintain the law and order over the speedy and overloaded trucks which led to the death of many students in the recent past.

FKJGP in the letter states, “We are not against the government and our hands are ready to upgrade the economy of the nation but we want wealth only for the purpose of livelihood and prosperity of the nation, not to loss/kill innocent lives.”

The tragic incidents

The first incident occurred on August 22, 2020 at genapara, the way between Purakhasia and Mahendraganj, in which late Amsrang R Marak, son of Romanoth Sangma and Zenitha R Marak from jorangkona Purakhasia, lost his life.

The second incident took place on September 25, 2020 at Kotchuadok, the way between Purakhasia and Dalu; in this incident Luksbat S. Sangma, son of Sengjing Ch. Marak and Lejikha S Sangma, lost his life.

FKJGP said these incidents reveal lawlessness by the trucks transporting boulders in the Purakhasia area.

Purakhasia to Tura road via Gambegre in dilapidated condition

Also, the FKJGP Purakhasia Unit inquired about the public road from Purakhasia to Tura via Gambegre. The federation said thr road is in dilapidated condition due to lack of repairs and is inconvenient for travelling and transportation in the region.

As for the reasons for the poor condition of the road, the federation claimed that the contractors delayed the work even after receiving of the work order from the concern department.