Correspondent
SHILLONG, AUG 23: The ongoing agitation by tourist taxi operators in Meghalaya against the entry of Assam registered vehicles was temporarily suspended on Sunday following assurances from the state government to address their grievances by September 10.
The decision was announced by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) and the All Shillong Tourist Taxi Association (ASTA) after a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister in charge Transport, Sniawbhalang Dhar, and senior government officials. The associations had earlier restricted Assam tourist taxis from entering Shillong, citing harassment faced by local drivers in Assam after the August 19 violence in Shillong.
During Sunday’s meeting, attended by senior Home Department officials, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts, and representatives of taxi associations, concerns of the drivers were discussed. Dhar assured that their grievances would be taken up with Assam authorities. “The associations have flagged important issues they face when entering Assam. Their concerns are genuine. By September 10, I will convene a meeting with the Commissioners of Transport of Assam and Meghalaya, in the presence of taxi associations from both states, to resolve these problems,” Dhar told reporters.
He referred to the joint ministerial meeting held a day earlier with Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora at Guwahati’s Koinadhara State Guest House, where both governments agreed to restore peace following recent unrest. Dhar said, “We have mutually agreed to continue plying as usual till September 10. After that, we will review the situation.”
On compensation for vehicles damaged during the August 19 violence, Dhar stated that the government would provide support as per law and has sought details of damaged vehicles from both Assam and Meghalaya.
AKMTTA president Ricaldinus Dohling confirmed the suspension of the agitation, saying, “We have decided not to stop commercial vehicles from Assam until the outcome of the proposed meeting.”
Government officials also clarified that movement of tourist vehicles between Meghalaya and Assam is currently normal, with no road blockades or obstructions reported.
The temporary suspension of the stir marks a pause in tensions between tourist taxi operators of the two states, with stakeholders now awaiting the outcome of the scheduled meeting on September 10.