SHILLONG, Nov 20: The Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners & Drivers Association (MCTODA) has decided not to approach the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) or lodge a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the recent clash between police and truck drivers at Mawryngkneng junction.

Addressing the media on Thursday, MCTODA president Marngar said the association was unwilling to pursue any formal complaint despite suggestions from several quarters.

“Many have suggested that we should approach the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC). However, we have decided not to pursue the issue with the MHRC nor file an FIR on the incident that took place at Mawryngkneng junction. It is okay if we get beaten up till we die or get arrested. We do not want to support the divide and rule policy among the Khasi,” he stated.

Marngar alleged that the police personnel involved in the lathi-charge were non-indigenous, claiming that they communicated in Hindi, a detail he said was also witnessed by members and women tea-sellers present at the site.

“The lathi-charge was executed by non-tribal police personnel — we know this because they were communicating in Hindi. Our protest was never against the state government but against the cement factories,” he said.

He further alleged that a nexus between the government and “big business tycoons from outside the state” was aimed at dividing the Khasi community. Due to this fear, the association decided to take care of its own members rather than rely on state bodies.

“We have decided to bear the medical expenses of the injured members. We do not want to file any complaints as we found that this is a ploy between the government and business tycoons from outside the state to divide and rule among the Khasi,” Marngar added.

Association member Lamiki Rabon, who sustained a leg injury, recounted the chaos during the protest. Another member, Yomi Sutnga, claimed that it was the police who escalated the situation.

“It was never us who started — it was the police. When we were sending away the trucks, police were escorting them. After a few minutes, police started using tear gas and lathi-charge,” Sutnga said.

Marngar justified the refusal to approach the MHRC by expressing doubts about the commission’s impartiality, saying any inquiry could further strain relations within the police and local administration.

“Why will we file a complaint to the MHRC when we feel the commission will not look into the issues faced by us? This will only give rise to a divide and rule policy among our people,” he asserted.