Meghalaya: After video of alleged extortion by NGOs goes viral, Bhutan truck driver clarifies on allegation

TURA | OCTOBER 11, 2019:

In a video which went viral on social media, where a truck driver from Bhutan was seen giving bribe to some NGOs has led to a huge amount of criticism and anger over allegations of extortion.

Few days later, the NGOs from Garo Hills had clarified his position on the matter stating that the collections were being done by some locals from the Zikzak area, pretending to be members of prominent Garo Hills NGOs.

The video of Lama in which he talks of some self proclaimed NGOs of the area was widely circulated leading to a lot of criticism against them.

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In a message sent by the lorry truck driver, Lama stated that he had nothing against the genuine NGOs and it was only those locals claiming themselves to be NGOs who were harassing them.

The so called NGO members were demanding Rs 3000 per truck and even went to the extent of taking away the keys of the vehicles and flattening the tires. Some of the affected trucks were stuck for two days in the Zikzak area in SWGH following the problems.

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Boulder trucks from Bhutan have been using the transit route through Meghalaya to export boulders to neighbouring Bangladesh.

"In my video I did not blame the genuine NGOs but some locals from fake NGOs who were self proclaimed members. If in the process the genuine NGOs of the area have been blamed due to my post, I would like to apologize due to the confusion," said Lama through a statement.