Shillong, Aug 24 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday said a series of measures have been put in place to restore and maintain normal movement between Meghalaya and Assam following the violence in Shillong on August 19.
Presenting a suo-motu statement in the Meghalaya Assembly, CM Sangma said a joint meeting between delegations from the two states was held on August 22 to address the fallout of the violence and subsequent disruptions along the interstate corridor.
The Meghalaya delegation was led by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, while Assam’s delegation was headed by senior minister Atul Bora. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries and senior officials of both states.
CM Sangma said the meeting resulted in the withdrawal of a road blockade at Jorabat by Assam-based associations, allowing the movement of essential commodities between the two states to resume normally.
As part of efforts to prevent similar disruptions in future, a dedicated hotline between Assam and Meghalaya has also been established.
The Chief Minister said a permanent district-level committee would be constituted comprising the Deputy Commissioners of Nongpoh in Meghalaya and Kamrup Metropolitan in Assam, along with police officers of the corresponding level.
The committee will address day-to-day issues arising along the interstate border and facilitate their prompt resolution.
CM Sangma also announced plans for a joint committee involving Commissioner and Secretary-level transport authorities of both states and representatives of tourist taxi associations.
The proposed panel will facilitate and regulate tourist transport movement and safeguard the shared tourism interests of Assam and Meghalaya.
He said a separate meeting chaired by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport was also held with transport associations in the state, following which the associations agreed to withdraw their agitation.
The decision resulted in normal movement of vehicles, he said.
CM Sangma added that another meeting involving the government and the associations is expected in the second week of September to discuss outstanding issues.
The measures come after tensions escalated following the August 19 black-flag bike rally in Shillong, during which vehicles, including those bearing Assam registration numbers, were attacked.
The Chief Minister said the government is committed to maintaining peace and ensuring smooth movement of people, vehicles and essential goods between the neighbouring states.
–IANS
