Assam cab operators suspend blockade against Meghalaya vehicles

Guwahati: Assam cab operators on Saturday suspended their blockade against Meghalaya-registered vehicles following assurances on safety after a ministerial-level meeting between the two states.

The decision was announced following a meeting between Assam Border Protection Minister Atul Bora and Meghalaya Deputy CM S Dhar.

"We have decided to suspend the blockade for the time being. The Meghalaya government has formed a Special Investigation Team to enquire into the violence of August 19. We will wait for its findings," a cab operator said at the blockade site at Jorabat, after a meeting with Bora.

"Our minister has said that Meghalaya will compensate for the damage caused to our drivers and vehicles," he added.

Bora visited the protesters after meeting Dhar.

A delegation of the protesters will meet representatives of the Assam government on Sunday to take forward their demands.

Violence had erupted during a bike rally organised by the Khasi Students' Union in Shillong on August 19. At least 31 vehicles, including those from Assam, were damaged, and 16 people were injured, according to the police.

Following the incident, commercial vehicle operators in Assam blocked traffic to Meghalaya at Jorabat and Khanapara, the main entry points to the neighbouring state, from Thursday.

The blockade was extended to other entry points to Meghalaya from Guwahati on Saturday.