Assam taxis, tourists hit hard by curbs on travel to Meghalaya 

Guwahati, Nov 24: Tourists and transport operators have been hit hard by the tense situation in the wake of the Mukroh firing incident with restrictions remaining imposed on Assam-registered vehicles for the third consecutive day from proceeding towards Meghalaya.

Several tourists were left stranded as Assam-registered taxis and cabs transporting them from the LGBI airport here were halted at Jorabat on Assam-Meghalaya boundary as a precautionary measure amidst the prevailing tension.

Along with the police, paramilitary forces were also stationed along the inter-state border at Jorabat to ensure security and law and order in the area.

The All India Road Transport Workers Federation, Assam state committee, meanwhile, has expressed concern over the situation as truckers and transporters have been affected by the restrictions.

“The Assam and Meghalaya governments need to resolve the matter at the earliest as the lives and livelihoods of the transporters and commercial vehicle drivers of Assam have been adversely affected during this peak season,” All India Road Transport Workers Federation (AIRTWF), Assam state committee general secretary Biren Sarma said.

The curbs have also affected supply of essential commodities, including edibles and perishable commodities that are ferried by road through Meghalaya to southern Assam’s Barak Valley, Mizoram, Tripura and even Manipur.

While several tourists and vehicles of taxi associations are still stranded in various parts of Meghalaya, all the 10 vehicles under All Guwahati Tourist Taxi Drivers Union have been safely escorted to the city.

“These vehicles were stranded in Shillong, Cherrapunjee and Mawllynong and have been escorted to Guwahati. However, there are many vehicles of other associations that are stranded there,” said Gul Mohammad Khan, the secretary of All Guwahati Tourist Taxi Drivers Union.

Notably, Assam minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, while addressing mediapersons in New Delhi on Wednesday, informed that Assam police has been in touch with its counterparts in Meghalaya to ensure that stranded tourists/drivers in Meghalaya are given the necessary protection and brought back to the state safely.

Tension in  Shillong: Shops along GS Road and Khyndailad (Police Bazar)  area in Shillong have  downed shutters this afternoon  in view of a sit-in demonstration held in  solidarity with the victims of Mukroh shooting at Kiang Nangbah statue, Civil Hospital junction organised by the five pressure groups inn the evening.