Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Abhishek Saini has prohibited unauthorised vehicle stoppages, blockades, forcible checking of permits and other disruptions to traffic across the district following recent unrest and disruption of vehicular movement between Assam and Meghalaya.
The order, issued at Nongpoh on August 22 under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, will remain in force for 60 days unless revoked or modified earlier.
While Assam-based commercial transport operators, tourist taxi associations and drivers have withdrawn their agitation and blockade, restoring normal inter-State connectivity, reports indicated that local taxi associations, including the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA), and other groups or individuals might attempt retaliatory or continuing blockades and vehicle stoppages.
The order prohibits unauthorised stoppage, interception, physical prevention or blockade of commercial vehicles, tourist taxis, private vehicles and goods carriers entering or passing through Ri-Bhoi.
It also bans chakka jams, sit-ins, rallies, human chains and the placing of tyres, boulders or other physical barriers on NH-06, State highways, bypasses, link roads and entry or exit check-gates when these obstruct traffic.