Shillong, Aug 23: The standoff between tourist taxi operators of Assam and Meghalaya ended on Sunday after Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar held a meeting with agitating cabbies who had blocked Assam vehicles at Lad Umroi, even as Shillong reeled under fuel shortage triggered by three days of unrest and border blockade.
The meeting came after what began as a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) black-flag bike rally on August 19 snowballed into violence, midnight arrests, police action at the KSU office, retaliatory blockades at Jorabat and a fuel crisis in Meghalaya.
While Assam-based commercial vehicle organisations were willing to lift their blockade of Meghalaya taxis, the drivers from Meghalaya were unwilling to do so, as the immediate issue dovetailed into a persistent demand by Meghalaya-based tourist taxis, namely that their counterparts from Assam should not be allowed to ferry tourists all over Meghalaya as cabbies in this state do not benefit much from the tourism industry in the current scenario. The Meghalaya government and tourism stakeholders have steadfastly opposed this, warning that it would hit the overall tourism industry badly and may elicit a strong response from Assam.
Today Meghalaya tourist taxi drivers continued to block Assam-registered vehicles at Lad Umroi and Dhar called an emergency meeting with the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist and Taxi Association (AKMTTA), Shillong Tourist Union and other associations.
Calling the meeting “very fruitful,” Dhar said the grievances raised by Meghalaya drivers operating in Assam are genuine. The associations had flagged lack of parking in Guwahati, heavy fines, harassment and restrictions on Meghalaya vehicles entering Assam.
“Their problems are genuine. By September 10 I will call a meeting with the Commissioner and Secretary of Transport, senior officials of Home, both Deputy Commissioners and the concerned authorities from Assam and Meghalaya. We will try to resolve all the problems they are facing in Assam,” Dhar said.
After the assurance, AKMTTA president Ricaldinus Dohling confirmed that the blockade at Lad Umroi has been lifted and free movement of vehicles will resume.
AB Sangma from Shillong Tourist Union said they would allow Assam vehicles to proceed to Shillong for now, but warned: “Meghalaya vehicles were attacked in Jorabat despite assurance that vehicles will not be touched. If the problem is not resolved within September 10, we will again go on strike by stopping our services.”
Meanwhile, with Jorabat reopening on Sunday morning, fuel tankers are being given green corridor and normal supply is expected to resume by the evening.
Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Saini appealed to tourists and commuters not to panic, saying the administration is ensuring safe passage for all.
“I appeal to tourists and people travelling between Assam and Meghalaya – you are welcome. There is complete free movement now. There should be no fear,” he said, adding that police escort is being provided to fuel tankers, LPG trucks and vehicles carrying essential supplies which had stopped due to fear and rumours.
“Loading has started. We are ensuring no stoppage of fuel trucks and private vehicles,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police Giri Prasad informed that a 24×7 Tourist Helpline – 1800-592-026 – has been activated.
“Any tourist travelling to Meghalaya or from Meghalaya to Guwahati facing any issue can call this number. The call will be directed to the respective district for immediate help,” the SP said.
