Meghalaya tourist taxi operators demand Assam govt to end extortion by ‘dalals’ at LGB Airport

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 27, 2020

Tourist taxi associations in the state have asked the Assam government to take action against the assault of a local driver and alleged extortion by the dalals at LGB International Airport, Borjhar.

The demand was made by the Meghalaya People’s Labour Union (MPLU) and Hynniewtrep Tourist Taxi Association (HTTA), All Shillong Tourist Taxi Drivers United Organization (ASTTDUO) and Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association.

Addressing meda on Wednesday, MPLU president Erwin K Sutnga said that they have also sought the intervention of the BJP leader and finance minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma into the matter.

He said a tourist driver from Shillong Maitshaphrang Marwein was assaulted by a dalal on refusing to pay the demanded extortion amount of Rs 600 on February 22.

Sutnga said a complaint was also filed with the DGP of Assam against extortion being conducted by the Dalals at the international airport.

In the complaint, the four organizations said that each tourist taxi waiting for fares by commuters at LGB International Airport, are paying Rs 200 as line waiting charge apart from Rs 85 parking fees charged by an association.

However that apart, the dalals or agents are extorting Rs 600 to Rs 800 from each vehicle as payment for commuters boarding these tourist taxis.

“This has created immense problems for the drivers and commuters especially from the tourist taxis from Meghalaya. This is also creating a bad impression about the way things are being run in the airport…we request you to kindly take appropriate action to end the reign of the criminal elements at LGB international airport,” the complaint said.