JACC to launch indefinite road blockade strike in Meghalaya

Shillong, Feb 16 (UNI) Piqued by the government's adamant attitude, the Joint Action Coordination Committee (JACC) of Transport Associations in Meghalaya has called an indefinite night road blockade from 1900 hours to 0600 hours from February 21.

The blockade would affect the entire state including the National Highways No 40 and 44, which is the lifeline of Mizoram, Tripura, Barak Valley of Asom and parts of Manipur, JACC chairman Augustine Shanpru told reporters here today.

The JACC, imposed the blockade after the ruling Congress-led government failed to decide on the new rate of the high security registration plate (HSRP) as suggested by them.

The state government has fixed Rs 2000 for registration plates, while the JACC suggested that the rate be Rs 825 for heavy vehicle and Rs 425 to Rs 460 for small and light vehicles.

''We are not against implementation of the HSRP in Meghalaya, but against the astronomical rates fixed by the government,'' Mr Shanpru said.

He said the JACC had taken up the matter with the government on several occasions but it had failed to implement our demands.

''If the government continues to remain adamant on this issue, we have no options but to intensify our agitation,'' Mr Shanpru said.

The HSRP was made mandatory in line with the direction of the government of India, which had come into effect in Meghalaya from last August. With this it became the pioneer state to have achieved this task in the whole country.

UNI