1 week ago
Meghalaya Holds Talks With Taxi Operators Over Assam Dispute
Tourist taxi drivers in Meghalaya protested because they said they faced problems while taking passengers to Assam.
They were concerned about parking at Guwahati airport and alleged that Assam Police harassed some drivers.
They also said some vehicles were damaged during protests at Jorabat.
The protests affected travel between Meghalaya and Assam for three days.
Some Assam vehicles were briefly stopped from entering Shillong.
Several petrol stations in Meghalaya ran out of fuel during the disruption.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar met the drivers and promised to discuss their concerns with Assam.
The two states plan to hold a meeting on September 10 to seek a longer-term solution.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar met protesting tourist taxi operators in Shillong on August 23.
The government said inter-state movement between Meghalaya and Assam would continue as before until further discussions.
A proposed September 10 meeting will include both states’ transport commissioners and transport association representatives.
Drivers cited parking problems at Guwahati airport, alleged Assam Police harassment, and damage to vehicles during protests at Jorabat.
The three-day disruption briefly blocked Assam-registered vehicles from entering Shillong and caused fuel shortages at several Meghalaya petrol outlets.
- Who
- Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, tourist taxi drivers, and officials and transport associations from Meghalaya and Assam.
- What
- The Meghalaya government held talks with protesting taxi operators and promised discussions aimed at resolving inter-state transport concerns.
- Where
- The talks were held in Shillong; the dispute also affected travel through Umiam Lake, Jorabat, Guwahati, and other parts of Assam.
- When
- Talks took place on August 23; a further meeting was proposed for September 10.
- Why
- Drivers raised concerns about parking, alleged harassment, vehicle damage, and difficulties operating between the two states.
Taxi operators’ concerns
Government response and position
Operating conditions in Assam
Taxi operators’ concerns
Drivers said Meghalaya-registered tourist vehicles lacked designated parking at Guwahati airport and alleged harassment by Assam Police.
Government response and position
The Meghalaya government said it would take the concerns up with Assam and other relevant authorities.
Vehicle damage and compensation
Taxi operators’ concerns
The association alleged that vehicles were damaged during protests at Jorabat and sought compensation from Assam comparable to compensation provided by Meghalaya.
Government response and position
The report does not state Assam’s response to the compensation request.
Inter-state movement
Taxi operators’ concerns
Drivers protested and briefly prevented Assam-registered vehicles from entering Shillong amid broader transport disruptions.
Government response and position
Meghalaya said movement between the states should continue as before while longer-term issues are discussed.
Key facts
- Meghalaya official
- Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar
- Immediate decision
- Inter-state movement between Meghalaya and Assam would continue as before.
- Proposed meeting
- September 10, with transport commissioners and transport association representatives from both states.
- Driver concern
- No designated parking for Meghalaya-registered tourist vehicles at Guwahati airport.
- Allegation
- Drivers alleged harassment by Assam Police during trips in Assam.
- Protest impact
- The disruption continued for three days and affected tourist-vehicle movement.
- Additional effect
- Several petrol outlets in Meghalaya ran out of fuel during the disruption.
Quotes
Sniawbhalang Dhar
Meghalaya deputy chief minister
“From this moment, we have decided that we will move freely as we were moving before. After September 10, we will take a call.”
theprint.in
“The concerns of our drivers are very genuine. Hopefully, by meeting both the states, the problem should be solved in future.”
theprint.in
Sources
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