Mumbai, August 24: Following the violence that erupted in Shillong on August 19, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced on Monday that the situation along the Assam-Meghalaya border has returned to normal. He stated that several measures have been implemented to restore and maintain the free movement between Meghalaya and Assam.
In a statement to the Meghalaya Assembly, CM Sangma revealed that a joint meeting was held on August 22 between delegations from both states to address the violence and subsequent disruptions along the interstate corridor.
The Meghalaya delegation was led by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, while the Assam delegation was headed by senior minister Atul Bora. The meeting included the chief secretaries and senior officials from both states.
CM Sangma noted that as a result of the meeting, the roadblock imposed by organizations in Assam at Jorabat was lifted, allowing the normal flow of essential goods between the two states to resume. To prevent future disruptions, a dedicated hotline has been established between Assam and Meghalaya.
He also announced the formation of a permanent district-level committee, which will include the Deputy Commissioners of Nongpoh in Meghalaya and Kamrup Metropolitan in Assam, along with relevant police officials. This committee will address everyday issues arising at the interstate border and assist in their swift resolution.
Additionally, CM Sangma revealed plans for a joint committee that will include transport officials at the commissioner and secretary levels, as well as representatives from tourist taxi associations. This proposed panel will facilitate and regulate tourist transport, while also safeguarding the shared tourism interests of Assam and Meghalaya.
He mentioned that a separate meeting was held with transport unions under the chairmanship of Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister, which led to the unions agreeing to withdraw their protests. As a result, vehicle movement has returned to normal.
Looking ahead, CM Sangma expressed hope for another meeting between the government and unions in the second week of September to discuss pending issues. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring the smooth movement of people, vehicles, and essential goods between neighboring states.
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