Movement between Assam, Meghalaya resumes after joint efforts to ease tensions

Vehicular movement between Meghalaya and Assam has resumed after the two states took joint steps to ease tensions following recent violence in Shillong and a road blockade at Jorabat near the inter-state border, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Monday.

The two governments have also agreed to establish a dedicated hotline and a permanent district-level mechanism to deal with day-to-day issues along the border, Sangma told the Assembly.

The developments followed a joint meeting of delegations from Meghalaya and Assam on August 22. Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam minister Atul Bora led the respective delegations, while the chief secretaries and other senior officials of the two states also participated.

Sangma said the road blockade imposed at Jorabat by Assam-based associations was withdrawn after the meeting, allowing the movement of essential commodities between the states to return to normal.

Under the proposed permanent mechanism, deputy commissioners of Nongpoh and Kamrup Metropolitan, along with police officers of corresponding rank, will work together to resolve routine issues arising along the inter-state border.

The two states will also form a joint committee of commissioner- and secretary-level transport officials and representatives of tourist taxi associations. The panel will work to facilitate and regulate tourist transport and safeguard the shared tourism interests of Meghalaya and Assam, Sangma said.

Meanwhile, Dhar, who holds the transport portfolio, met Meghalaya's transport associations. Following the discussions, the associations agreed to call off their agitation and restore normal vehicular movement.

A further meeting with the associations is expected in the second week of September to take up issues that remain unresolved, the chief minister said.

Sangma said the state government had taken serious note of the recent violence and acted swiftly in response.

“I would like to assure the members of this august House as well as the citizens of our state that the unfortunate incident that took place is something which the government has taken strong note of,” he said.

He also assured the Assembly that those responsible for violence would be brought to justice.

“We want to ensure and assure the House and citizens of the state that the government will take all steps and leave no stone unturned to ensure the miscreants who were involved and indulged in violent activities will be brought to justice,” Sangma said.

(With inputs from PTI)