Jowai, Dec 14: The indefinite strike of the Jaiñtia Hills Truck Owners Association (JHTOA) on Tuesday entered its 8th day and the Association has also received the support from various other organisations like the JSU, JYF, JSM, EJNC, MPUF amongst others.
On Tuesday, the North East Truck Owner Welfare Society (NETOWS) Guwahati, Assam has also lended its unconditional support to the JHTOA.
NETOWS in a letter addressed to the president of the JHTOA stated that the cement companies have now started procuring their own trucks and this has effected the local businesses and truck owners from Meghalaya and Assam.

The Society stated that the Government has provided subsidies and aid to the Companies for setting up businesses because these companies will be able to provide employment to the locals, but now these companies have started curtailing the employment to locals, directly and indirectly.
NETOWS stated that the freight charges that is being paid now is the same as was paid 10 years ago while the price of fuel, vehicles and other liabilities have increased drastically where it also advised for a Freight Committee to discuss on issues pertaining matters related to business.
The Society also requested the JHTOA to continue with its stike/agitation till their demands are met and that the NETOWS is lending its support to the Association.
It may be reminded here that the JHTOA had called for an indefinite strike to demand from the Cement Companies to implement the transportation charges as notified by the Government which is Rs. 7 per MT per KM and other demands include the relocation of their Godowns to Byrnihat and that preferences should be given to the truck owners from the state.