\GUWAHATI: Efforts were underway on Sunday to clear a fresh blockade by Meghalaya’s protesters at Umiam and restore normal movement between Assam and Meghalaya, even as Assam’s Minister for Border Protection and Development, Atul Bora, held discussions with the Assam Drivers’ Association and representatives of 14 organizations about the prevailing situation.
Bora said he was informed about the blockade at Umiam shortly before speaking to the media and that the Meghalaya government was working to resolve the issue.
“I came to know a short while ago that there is a blockade at Umiam by protesters in Meghalaya. Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister has said that he will speak to them,” Bora said. The minister said he had also spoken to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who assured him that talks were in progress and that the matter would be resolved soon.
Bora said he had apprised Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma of the discussions with the drivers’ association and the latest developments.
Today’s meeting brought together representatives from 14 organizations in Assam, who raised concerns over the difficulties faced by drivers and travelers and stressed the need for safeguards to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
According to Bora, the representatives also appreciated the measures agreed upon during his discussions with Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister S Dhar and senior officials on Saturday. The minister had visited Jorabat late on Saturday night and met with protesters and representatives of various organizations to hear their grievances and discuss ways to ease the situation.
Minister Bora said the issue of tourist vehicles operating between the two states had also figured in previous discussions. He recalled a proposal made around three years ago under which Assam-registered tourist vehicles would ferry visitors up to a designated point, from where Meghalaya-registered vehicles would take them to destinations within the hill state. The proposal was discussed again during Saturday’s talks, he said.
Bora expressed confidence that the present disruption would not be repeated, citing assurances from the Meghalaya government that necessary steps would be taken to ensure the safety and smooth movement of vehicles and tourists.
“Meghalaya has also assured us that such a situation will not happen again,” Bora said, while adding that it could take another one or two days for complete normalcy to return. The fresh blockade at Umiam comes amid heightened tensions over the movement and safety of Assam-registered vehicles in Meghalaya, with both state governments holding talks to prevent further escalation and ensure uninterrupted inter-state movement.