Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 24 (ANI): Assam Minister Atul Bora on Sunday announced that normal vehicular movement has been restored between Assam and Meghalaya, as well as across Meghalaya, following successful discussions between the state government and various protesting organisations.
Taking to X, Bora stated that Meghalaya's Deputy Chief Minister, S. Dhar, had communicated the development.
Assam Minister Atul Bora expressed his sincere gratitude to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his prompt and decisive intervention in the matter. He also thanked Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for his commitment and constructive approach towards resolving the crisis.
"I am pleased to share that normal vehicular movement has now been restored between Assam & Meghalaya, as well as across Meghalaya. Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri S. Dhar conveyed this to me this evening, following the Government of Meghalaya's deliberations with protesting organisations in the State. I express my sincere gratitude to Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr. @himantabiswafor his prompt and decisive intervention. I also thank Hon'ble Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri @SangmaConradfor his commitment and constructive approach towards resolving the situation," he posted on X.
Bora extended his appreciation to the various organisations and stakeholders in both states for responding positively to peace appeals and withdrawing the road blockades. He emphasised that the restoration of normalcy was a testament to the deep-rooted ties between the two regions.
"My appreciation also goes to the various organisations and stakeholders in both States who responded positively to appeals for peace, withdrew road blockades and helped restore normalcy. Assam & Meghalaya are not merely neighbours; we are sister States, connected by deep-rooted cultural, economic and people-to-people ties," he said in his X post.
"Let us build on this spirit of cooperation and ensure that peace, harmony and brotherhood always prevail in our region. Together, we can strengthen the bonds between our two States and work towards the greater good of our people," he added.
The deliberations were held amid heightened border tensions triggered by an August 19 protest rally organised by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) in Shillong.
During the KSU's black flag bike rally, which allegedly turned violent, several vehicles, including Assam-registered vehicles, were damaged, alongside reports of stone-pelting, arson, and attacks across different parts of Shillong.
Allegations also surfaced regarding the vandalisation of statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
On August 19, Meghalaya Police arrested three top KSU leaders in connection with the violence, though union leaders claimed external elements joined the rally to divert the agitation from its original intent.
The demonstration was part of the KSU's ongoing campaign for a five-point charter of demands, which includes reforms in Meghalaya Public Service Commission recruitment and the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act.
In response to the incidents, drivers of Assam-registered vehicles held protests on August 20 in Khanapara, demanding an official inquiry from the Meghalaya government. Concurrently, the Assam Drivers' Association and other regional groups have been staging protests in the Jorabat area along the Assam-Meghalaya border for a third consecutive day. (ANI)
Normal vehicular movement restored between Assam and Meghalaya: Assam Minister Atul Bora
