Day After Assam-Meghalaya Peace Push, Taxi Body Turns Back Assam Vehicles

Guwahati: Vehicles registered in Assam were reportedly stopped at Barapani and sent back on Sunday while travelling towards Shillong, a day after Assam and Meghalaya agreed on measures to restore normal movement and ensure the safety of tourists, passengers and vehicles between the two states.

Tourist taxi drivers under the banner of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) assembled at Lad Umroi to intercept and turn back Assam-registered commercial tourist vehicles.

What Are The Demands?

The association is demanding that tourist taxis registered in Assam operate strictly within the state, while Meghalaya-registered taxis exclusively handle commercial tourist transport within Meghalaya.

AKMTTA president Ricaldinus Dohling said the Meghalaya government had invited the association for talks at the Secretariat. He said he would attend the meeting to press the association's demands and that its final stance would be decided after discussions with government officials.

However, Dohling said the association remained firm that “Meghalaya taxis will not operate in Assam, and Assam taxis should not be allowed to operate within Meghalaya.”

He said members would continue to remain at Lad Umroi to stop and turn back tourist vehicles until a concrete resolution was reached.

Dohling also expressed frustration over what he described as inaction in the past. He said the association had submitted a formal memorandum during meetings in 2023, but the government had offered only tea and snacks without providing a lasting solution.

The AKMTTA leadership said authorities must explicitly inform Assam commercial drivers that they are prohibited from operating in Meghalaya. Dohling warned that the association would intensify its agitation if the government failed to take a firm stand.

Addressing possible blockades from Assam, Dohling said that even if Meghalaya faced temporary hardships for a month or two, Assam would face long-term consequences.

He questioned why Meghalaya drivers could not take a strong stance when driver unions in Assam exert influence over their government. He reiterated the association's demand to halt outside tourist taxis at Jorabat and reserve local commercial transport for Meghalaya operators.

Members of a Meghalaya drivers’ association were reportedly involved in stopping the vehicles. Protests were also reported from several places in the state on Sunday.

Peace Agreement Reached

The developments came a day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said an understanding reached between representatives of the two states in Guwahati would help restore normal conditions following the August 19 events in Shillong.

Officials from both governments attended the meeting at Koinadhara State Guest House in Guwahati, led by Assam Minister Atul Bora and Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbha Dhar.

The two sides agreed on steps to ensure the safe movement of tourists, passengers and vehicles between the states.

Dhar said a special team had been formed to identify those involved and that 15 FIRs had been registered.

The states also agreed to establish a permanent arrangement to address recurring problems along the inter-State border. A proposed committee will include administrative officials, police personnel and local representatives.

A separate coordination system between the Inspector General of Special Branch, Assam, and the Inspector General of Law and Order, Meghalaya, will also be set up. Helplines and an online support system will be established to locate stranded people and help them leave affected areas.

District-level joint committees involving officials from Nongpoh and Kamrup Metropolitan and police personnel from both states will address day-to-day border issues.

The two states will also form a panel comprising transport officials and members of tourist vehicle associations to regulate tourist vehicle movement and protect tourism interests in Assam and Meghalaya.

On Sunday, Atul Bora, along with Guwahati Commissioner of Police Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Commissioner of Transport Shri Manvendra Pratap Singh and Kamrup (M) DTO Shri Himangshu Das, met representatives of 14 drivers’ associations at Khanapara to take stock of the situation.

Representatives of 14 organisations, including Tourist Transporter Association of Assam; All Assam Tourist Taxi Driver's Union; Seven State Tourist Cab Operator Union; Greater Guwahati Tourist Taxi Association; Greater Guwahati Tourist Tata Sumo Driver Welfare Association; All Guwahati Tourist Taxi Driver Union, Khanapara and Guwahati Airport Taxi Association, attended the meeting.

Later, Bora told reporters: “As per the direction of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, I attended a meeting in Guwahati with representatives of 14 transport associations. The representatives raised concerns regarding the safety of vehicles, drivers and passengers following the unfortunate incident in Shillong on August 19, as well as the continuing road blockade by protesters in Meghalaya.”

“I apprised them of the significant decisions taken during yesterday’s meeting between the Governments of Assam and Meghalaya. Strong measures will be undertaken to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles and restore normalcy,” Bora said.

“I have already spoken with Hon’ble Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma and Deputy CM S. Dhar regarding the road blockade. Senior officials of both Governments are also in constant touch, and we are hopeful that the blockade will be withdrawn soon.”

“Assam and Meghalaya are sister States bound by longstanding ties of harmony and brotherhood. I appeal to all people and stakeholders to maintain peace, restraint and our spirit of brotherhood in the greater interest of the region,” he added.