Shillong, Sept 14: The Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Sohra Civil Sub Division has filed an FIR against the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and Hima Sohra Syiemship for Contempt of Court and engaging in extortion from vehicles bound for export to Zero Point in Majai.

In his FIR to Officer In-charge Shella Police Station dated 14th September, 2022, Sub Divisional Magistrate of Sohra Civil Sub Division, L. Kynjing said, “…request you to kindly register case against the persons who are part of the Joint Action Committee and Hima Sohra Syiemship for extortion, contempt of Court, common intention, violation of Sec. 144 CrPC, violation of the Fundamental right of Freedom of Profession, conspiracy, etc., as per provisions of law.”

Giving more details, he said there is a group which calls itself the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is illegally and without authorization controlling and regulating movement of vehicles which are bound for export to Zero Point in Majai by deploying volunteers and issuing movement slips for vehicles at strategic points along the PWD road which is used for export to Bangladesh from Majai. It is also reported that this group is harassing the exporters while discriminating whose vehicles are allowed to pass and whose are not allowed to pass.

“This action of the persons who are part of the so called Joint Action Committee which is similar to the actions of the now defunct Hima Sohra Core Committee (some of the members of both the Joint Action Committee and Hima Sohra Core Committee are the same persons) is in violation of the orders under Sec 144 CrPC, which have been issued by the undersigned vide order No.SSD/JDCL/LO/Pt.I/2/2015/VOL-I/73; Dtd: 1/August/2022 (Annexure-11). Their activities also appear to be in contempt of the orders issued by the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya in Point No. 9 (VII) of WP(C) No. 144 of 2022 with WP(C) No. 92 of 2022, WP(C) No. 97 of 2022 and WP(C) No. 111 of 2022 (Annexure-111),” he said.

Stating that the information has been given to him by HANM, South Khasi Hills Unit, the SDM further said, “At the same time, it is complained that the Hima Sohra headed by the Syiem of Sohra Syiemship, the Syiem Khynnah of Sohra Syiemship, Shri. B. V. Rymmai and others are violating the orders of the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya in point No. 9 (III) of WP(C) No. 144 of 2022 with WP(C) No. 92 of 2022, WP(C) No 97 of 2022 and WP(C) No 111 of 2022 whereby they are collecting Rs. 400/- ( Rs. 200/- Entry and Rs. 200/- Exit) instead of Rs. 200/- as mandated by the order of the Hon’ble High Court in the above mentioned order, from every vehicle which is moving from Umdud to the Land Customs Station Bholaganj (Zero Point). To this end the Hima Sohra has deployed volunteers to harass and extort the vehicles which are going to the L.C.S. Bholaganj in order to monopolize the export and thereby get due advantages for themselves.”