No End To Assam-Meghalaya Cab Crisis, Vehicles Stopped At Shillong Border

The blockade at Jorabat on the Assam-Meghalaya border showed signs of easing on Sunday, with seven Assam-based motor, cab and indigenous organisations agreeing to withdraw their road blockade for the day and allow Meghalaya-registered private and commercial vehicles to enter Assam. The decision came amid continuing tension along the interstate border following incidents involving vehicles from both states.

However, the situation was different on the outskirts of Shillong as leaders and members of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) and the All Shillong Taxi Association gathered in protest in Umiam and stopped vehicles entering from Assam. The members claimed that the Meghalaya government had failed to take their concerns seriously amid the tensions that have risen between commercial vehicle operators from Assam and Meghalaya.

The association leaders also alleged that the government was treating them unfairly. They said that during the meeting between the ministers of the two governments yesterday at Assam, the Meghalaya Government decided to compensate the owners of vehicles from Assam that were damaged in Shillong, while nothing was said about Meghalaya commercial vehicles that were damaged in Assam.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya-registered tourist vehicle operators have decided to drop passengers at Jorabat and return to Meghalaya instead of continuing into Assam.

The operators have also opposed the entry of Assam-registered vehicles into Meghalaya, citing safety concerns for drivers and passengers in view of the recent incidents.

The developments have prompted transport bodies and authorities on both sides to step up efforts to bring vehicle movement back to normal.

A meeting is expected to be held involving representatives of the Assam government, senior police officials and motor and cab associations. Discussions are likely to centre on the safety of transport operators and the movement of vehicles between the two states.

The Meghalaya government will convene a high-level meeting with the Commissioners of Transport of Assam and Meghalaya by September 10 to address long-standing grievances raised by transport associations over difficulties faced by drivers travelling to Guwahati.

The immediate focus is on preventing further confrontation between transport operators and ensuring that vehicles can move across the border without fresh incidents.

Tourist Taxi Associations from Meghalaya and Assam will also be called for the meeting, which will seek to address the concerns of drivers and transport operators from both States, Meghalaya deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said.

For now, the situation at Jorabat remains comparatively calm after the Assam-based organisations agreed to lift the blockade for the day. However, the developments at Borapani continue to be closely watched, with Meghalaya Police maintaining a presence at the site.

Dhar said the meeting would focus on the concerns of drivers and transport operators from Meghalaya, which, according to the associations, have faced difficulties while entering and travelling through Assam.