Transporters suspends its road blockade in Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 29 (UNI) Agitating transporters today rejected Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang's invitation for a dialogue over the issue of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in the state.

However, the agitating transporters, under the banner of Joint Action Co-ordination Committee (JACC) today gave the Congress-led government some respite by suspending its indefinite road blockade which entered its fourth day, today.

The blockade, which started on Monday, has affected normal life in Khasi-Jaintia hills, including the NH 40 and 44, the lifeline of Mizoram, Tripura, Barak valley of Asom and parts of Manipur.

''We have decided not to meet the Chief Minister as we are aware that the government won't be able to implement our demands,'' JACC Chairman Augustine Shanpru told mediapersons here, today.

Mr Shanpru said the JACC would accept the government's invitation only if the latter implement its suggestion on the rates of the HSRP in the state.

The JACC imposed the blockade after the government failed to decide on the new rate of the HSRP as suggested by them.

The state government had fixed Rs 2,000 for the registration plates, while the JACC suggested that the rate be fixed at Rs 825 for heavy vehicles and Rs 425 to 400 for small and light vehicles.

UNI