Source : PTI | Assam cab operators on Saturday suspended their blockade against Meghalaya-registered vehicles following assurances on safety after a ministerial-level meeting between the two states.
The decision was announced after a meeting between Assam Border Protection Minister Atul Bora and Meghalaya Deputy CM S Dhar, who had been entrusted by their respective governments to resolve the crisis.
The crisis was triggered by attacks on Assam-registered vehicles during a students’ rally in Shillong on August 19.
“We have decided to suspend the blockade for the time being. The Meghalaya government has formed a Special Investigation Team to enquire into the violence of August 19. We will wait for its findings,” a cab operator said at the blockade site at Jorabat, after a meeting with Bora.
“Our minister has said that Meghalaya will compensate for the damage caused to our drivers and vehicles,” he added.
Bora visited the protesters after meeting Dhar.
A delegation of the protesters will meet representatives of the Assam government on Sunday to take forward their demands.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said of the 246 persons from Assam stranded in Meghalaya, 131 have safely returned as of 8.30 pm.
“We are working in close coordination with the Meghalaya government to ensure that the remaining persons are brought back safely to Guwahati at the earliest,” he said.
Sarma also welcomed the outcome of the meeting between the two governments, maintaining that it will help in restoring normalcy.
He said the concerns raised by the people of Assam have been “duly acknowledged and addressed” by Meghalaya, and steps in the right direction were initiated.
“Following my conversation with Shri @SangmaConrad after the unfortunate incidents in Shillong, representatives of both States, led by Hon’ble Minister Shri @ATULBORA2 and Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri @sniawbhadhar, met today in Guwahati,” Sarma said in a social media post.
He said the constitution of a Special Investigation Team by the Meghalaya government, along with the arrest of those responsible, are steps in the right direction.
“Equally reassuring are the firm commitments made for the safety and unhindered movement of people and vehicles from Assam,” Sarma said, highlighting that the two states “share a border, a history, and an enduring bond of sisterhood”.
“I am confident that today’s understanding, backed by firm commitments on the ground, will restore normalcy at the earliest and further strengthen the close ties between our people,” he added.
Violence had erupted during a bike 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 Jorabat and Khanapara, the main entry points to the neighbouring state. The blockade was extended to other entry points to Meghalaya from Guwahati on Saturday.
The cab operators, interacting with Bora, expressed their dissatisfaction over the minister failing to meet them prior to his discussion with the Meghalaya government.
They pointed out that it has not been even a year since the chief secretary had given in writing, ensuring their security following similar incidents of alleged attacks in Meghalaya.
Bora, pacifying them, maintained that though he had not met them in person, he was keeping regular updates on their demands and those were presented before the Meghalaya delegation.
“We have presented before them that attacks on Assam vehicles and drivers have been a recurring problem, and we want a permanent solution,” he said.
“The talks have only started; it is not the end. We will keep pursuing it till the issue is resolved,” he added.
