Guwahati, Aug 23: The Assam government on Sunday held a discussion with cab operators and transporters of the state about the problems they come across in Meghalaya, and assured them that both states would work to ensure they do not face any such issue in future.
The meeting comes a day after a ministerial-level talk was held between the two states to resolve a crisis following violence during a recent students’ rally in Shillong, in which Assam residents were allegedly attacked, and consequent traffic blockade against Meghalaya-registered vehicles in Guwahati.
The traffic blockade on the Guwahati side was suspended by the cab operators on Saturday evening, though their counterparts in Meghalaya continued their blockade as Assam-registered vehicles were sent back from Umiam in Meghalaya on Sunday as well. This was later called off.
Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora, who had led the Assam delegation in the ministerial-level meeting, held discussions with representatives of 14 organisations of drivers, cab operators and transporters here.
Addressing the media later, he said, “They mentioned that incidents of attacks on Assam vehicles and drivers have happened in the past and wanted assurance that there will be no recurrence. They were appreciative of the talks held with the Meghalaya delegation on Saturday.”
Bora said all issues concerning safety of vehicles and people from Assam in Meghalaya were placed during the three-hour-long meeting on Saturday, in which Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister S Dhar led the team from the neighbouring state.
He said Assam was hopeful that Meghalaya will take steps to ensure no recurrence of incidents targeting vehicles and people from Assam in the future.
Violence had erupted during a motorcycle rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union in Shillong on August 19. At least 31 vehicles, including those from Assam, were damaged, and 16 people were injured, according to the police.
Following the incident, commercial vehicle operators in Assam blocked traffic to Meghalaya at multiple entry points in Guwahati, with their counterparts in the neighbouring state also imposing similar restrictions against Assam-registered vehicles.
