SHILLONG, AUG 24 (PTI): Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said inter-state vehicular movement between Meghalaya and Assam has resumed following joint efforts by the two governments to defuse tensions triggered by recent violence in Shillong and a subsequent road blockade at Jorabat, near the inter-state border.
He said the two states have also agreed to establish a dedicated hotline and a permanent district-level mechanism to address day-to-day issues along the inter-state border.
A joint meeting between delegations from both the states was held on August 22, with Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam minister Atul Bora leading the respective delegations.
The two states’ chief secretaries and other senior officials also attended the meeting.
Following the meeting, the road blockade at Jorabat by Assam-based associations was called off, allowing normal movement of essential commodities between the two states, Sangma said while informing the Assembly about steps taken to restore normalcy.
He said a permanent district-level committee comprising the deputy commissioners of Nongpoh and Kamrup Metropolitan and police officers of corresponding rank would address day-to-day issues along the inter-state border.
The government will also constitute a joint committee comprising commissioner- and secretary-level transport officials from both states and representatives of tourist taxi associations to facilitate and regulate tourist transport movement and protect the shared tourism interests of Assam and Meghalaya, he said.
Sangma further said a meeting chaired by Dhar, who is in charge of transport, was held with Meghalaya transport associations, following which they agreed to withdraw their agitation and restore normal movement of vehicles.
The next meeting with the associations is expected to be held in the second week of September to discuss the remaining issues, he said.
“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,” Sangma said.
He said the government had acted swiftly and would take all necessary steps to ensure that those involved in violent activities were 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,” he said.
