The Assam government on Sunday held a meeting with several drivers’ associations to discuss the ongoing tension along the Assam-Meghalaya border following the violence during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally in Shillong on August 19 and the subsequent protests by Assam-based drivers.
The meeting was held at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) office at Khanapara and was attended by Assam Minister Atul Bora, IGP Partha Sarothi Mahanta and representatives of various drivers’ organisations.
The meeting came a day after a high-level meeting between the Assam and Meghalaya governments in Guwahati, where both sides discussed measures to ease the tension and restore normal movement between the two states.
Addressing reporters after Sunday’s meeting, Minister Atul Bora said representatives of around 14 drivers’ organisations participated in the discussions and raised several long-standing concerns.
Bora said the government is deeply concerned about the situation and that further discussions are being held with the Meghalaya government to resolve the matter.
He also said that a coordination committee headed by the IGPs of both Assam and Meghalaya had been decided upon during Saturday’s high-level meeting to coordinate efforts between the two states.
The minister expressed hope that the situation would be resolved soon and assured that the security concerns would be addressed.
Meanwhile, Jadav Kumar Ingti, Adviser to the Seven State Tourist Cab Operator Union, said the drivers’ representatives had discussed the issue with the minister, police officials and the transport commissioner.
According to Ingti, the drivers had sought clarity on when vehicle movement between Assam and Meghalaya could resume.
He said they were informed that discussions between the Assam and Meghalaya authorities were still continuing and that a final decision had not yet been communicated.
Ingti also alleged that a strike was still continuing on the Meghalaya side near Umiam Lake, despite the discussions held between the two governments.
He termed the continued disruption “shameful” and questioned the law-and-order situation in Meghalaya.
He said the drivers’ organisations had earlier agreed to withdraw their strike following discussions with Assam authorities, but expressed disappointment over reports of continued disruption from the Meghalaya side.
The drivers’ associations are now awaiting a final decision from both state governments on the restoration of normal vehicle movement between Assam and Meghalaya.
The developments come amid heightened tension after the August 19 KSU rally in Shillong, during which Assam-registered vehicles and drivers were allegedly targeted, prompting Assam-based drivers to launch protests and suspend services along the Assam-Meghalaya route.