A temporary truce between taxi operators from Meghalaya and Assam on Sunday eased a key flashpoint along the interstate border, with Meghalaya agreeing to resume cross-border movement until September 10 as efforts continued to prevent a recurrence of the August 19 violence in Shillong.
Meghalaya deputy chief minister in-charge of transport Sniawbhalang Dhar said tourist taxi associations agreed to lift their proposed blockade following an emergency meeting with the government. A joint meeting involving transport officials and taxi associations from both states will be held by September 10.
“We have mutually agreed that we will continue to comply as usual from today till September 10. We will discuss with the Assam side and hope to get a positive response from both states. From this moment, we will move freely as before,” Dhar said.
All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) president Ricaldinus Dohling said the association agreed to give the government 10 days to resolve the matter, but kept its options open if the meeting failed to produce results.
“For now, we will release it temporarily. We will brief our fellow drivers at Damsite about today’s decision to give the government 10 days’ time and we hope to get a positive outcome,” Dohling said.
{{/usCountry}}“For now, we will release it temporarily. We will brief our fellow drivers at Damsite about today’s decision to give the government 10 days’ time and we hope to get a positive outcome,” Dohling said.
{{/usCountry}}The development came after a three-day blockade by Assam cab operators at Jorabat was withdrawn on Saturday evening following an intervention by Assam minister for border protection and development departments Atul Bora.
The Assam operators blocked Meghalaya-registered vehicles in protest against alleged attacks on Assam residents and vehicles during the Shillong violence. They alleged that Assam-registered vehicles were targeted during a “black-flag” motorcycle rally by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on August 19.
The rally, organised over a five-point charter of demands, turned violent, with protesters vandalising and setting ablaze vehicles.
Assam cab operators initially claimed that groups in Meghalaya continued to block Assam-registered vehicles despite talks between the two governments.
“They kept blocking Assam-registered vehicles till late Saturday and it continued on Sunday. We told them about the meeting but they said they were not aware of it,” an Assam cab operator said, requesting anonymity.
“We temporarily called off our blockade to respect the initiatives being taken by the governments of both states but we cannot see a similar attitude from their side and if this continues, we may resume our protest,” another operator said.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma discussed the matter and issued a joint statement on Friday. Sarma appointed Atul Bora to initiate talks, following which Dhar attended a three-hour meeting in Guwahati on Saturday.
Dhar expressed regret over the August 19 incident and assured of strong action against those involved. He also assured that the safety and security of tourists and vehicles travelling from Assam and other parts of the country into Meghalaya would be the responsibility of the Meghalaya government.
The president, vice-president and general secretary of the KSU have been arrested under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been constituted to identify those involved, particularly in attacks on Assam-registered vehicles.
More than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles have already been safely escorted into Assam, according to the joint statement. The governments also agreed that passengers or vehicles still waiting to return would be safely escorted within 48 hours.
On Sunday, Bora met representatives of 14 Assam-based private transport associations, who raised concerns over the safety of vehicles, drivers and passengers. He said he had spoken with Sangma and Dhar about the blockade and that senior officials of both governments were in constant touch.
The transport associations demanded measures to ensure their safety in Meghalaya and said attacks on Assam residents were not new or isolated incidents.
“Be it 2024, 2025 or this year, the pattern is the same and every time we are the ones who face the loss,” the representatives said. They added that Bora had assured them he would again take up the matter with the Meghalaya government.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Shillong and the administration has denied permission for the KSU’s proposed August 24 sit-in at Barik, citing the “fluid law and order situation” and violation of conditions attached to its August 19 rally.
East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said heavy security deployment would continue until residents felt safe. He also appealed to tourists not to cancel their trips.
“Please don’t judge Shillong by one incident. We are here from the district administration to ensure your safety and security,” he said.
In Ri-Bhoi, deputy commissioner Dr Abhishek Saini said the border situation had normalised and all blockades had been lifted, with free movement of vehicles restored. Fuel, LPG and essential supplies would continue to move, with police escorts for vulnerable consignments.
Ri-Bhoi police have activated a 24x7 tourist helpline, 1800592026, for travellers facing difficulties. The district administration has also issued a 60-day order under Section 163 of the BNSS prohibiting road blockades, vehicle stoppages, picketing, chakka jams and other attempts to obstruct inter-state traffic.
Later, CM Sarma said 131 of the 246 people from Assam stranded in Meghalaya had safely returned to Assam on Saturday evening.
The temporary truce marks a shift from confrontation towards dialogue, although authorities remain on alert with the KSU’s agitation continuing and the Meghalaya High Court set to review the violence on Monday.