Shillong, August 22: The Governments of Meghalaya and Assam on Saturday held a joint meeting at Koinadhara State Guest House in Guwahati to review developments following the August 19 incident in Shillong and discuss measures to ensure the safe movement of tourists and vehicles between the two states.
The meeting was led by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Dr. S. Dhar and Assam Minister Atul Bora, and was attended by senior officials from both governments. The discussions lasted more than three hours.
The Meghalaya Government expressed regret over the August 19 incident and assured Assam that strong action would be taken against those involved.
The government informed the meeting that the President, Vice-President and General Secretary of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) have been arrested under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act.
It further stated that 15 FIRs have so far been registered in connection with the violence. Five masked individuals have also been identified as being involved, particularly in attacks on Assam-registered vehicles.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to identify all those involved in the violence, with particular focus on attacks targeting Assam-registered vehicles, and ensure their prosecution according to law.
Over 3,770 Assam vehicles escorted
The two governments said that more than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles have already been safely escorted out of Meghalaya into Assam.
The Assam Control Room has received 54 distress calls involving 175 people, including occupants of 22 private vehicles and five tourist vehicles. Meghalaya’s Control Room, meanwhile, has received 379 distress calls, with steps being taken to facilitate safe transit.
Most stranded travellers and vehicles, including an estimated 400–500 vehicles that had earlier been held up in Meghalaya, have now crossed key transit corridors, including the Umiam Lake section.
The governments agreed that any passenger or vehicle still awaiting transfer to Assam would be safely escorted within the next 48 hours. A dedicated exercise will be undertaken to ensure that every tourist or vehicle wishing to return to Assam is facilitated.
Dedicated hotline and coordination mechanism
The states also agreed to establish a dedicated coordination mechanism between the IG, Special Branch, Assam, and IG, Law & Order, Meghalaya, supported by dedicated helplines.
An online support forum will also be activated to help locate and facilitate stranded individuals. The mechanism will remain operational until the situation is fully normalised.
The designated contact numbers are:
WhatsApp: +91 810 14 888
Landline: 0361-2381-511
Permanent district-level committees
Permanent district-level joint committees will be constituted involving the Deputy Commissioner, Nongpoh, and Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup Metropolitan, along with police officers of corresponding rank from both districts.
The committees will address day-to-day issues arising along the inter-State border and facilitate their prompt resolution.
A separate joint committee on tourist transport will also be constituted, comprising Commissioner/Secretary-level Transport officials from both states and representatives of tourist vehicle associations. The committee will work to facilitate and regulate tourist transport movement and safeguard the tourism interests shared by Assam and Meghalaya.
Assurance of safe transit
Both governments agreed to take all necessary measures to ensure safe and secure transit for vehicles travelling from southern Assam to other parts of Assam, including movement from the Barak Valley through Meghalaya.
Similarly, arrangements will be made for people travelling from Meghalaya to other parts of the state through Assam.
The Meghalaya Government also reiterated that it will take responsibility for the safety and security of tourists and vehicles travelling from Assam and other parts of the country into Meghalaya, both during their stay and while travelling within the state.
