Assam cab operators warn of protest as Meghalaya blockade continues despite talks
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
Despite a high-level meeting between the governments of Assam and Meghalaya over the recent violence in Shillong, Assam cab operators who withdrew a three-day-long protest on Saturday claimed that their counterparts in Meghalaya were still blocking Assam-registered vehicles.
Adding to this, Assam cab operators prevented Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering the state in protest against the violence that left many from their state injured and traumatised. (PTI) The vehicle owners and drivers, who called off their blockade at Jorabat on Saturday evening following an intervention by Assam minister for border protection and development departments Atul Bora, shared on Sunday that groups in Meghalaya were still blocking all Assam-registered vehicles despite the high-level talks.
Meanwhile, “They kept blocking Assam-registered vehicles till late Saturday and it continued on Sunday. We told them about the meeting but they shared they were not aware of it,” shared a cab operator, requesting anonymity, adding that he witnessed it himself.
Notably, “We temporarily called off our blockade to respect the initiatives being taken by the governments of both states but we cannot see a similar attitude from their side. If this continues, we may resume our protest,” another cab operator shared.
As per the latest buzz, The blockade in Assam’s Jorabat started on Friday in protest against alleged attacks on Assam residents and vehicles during violence in Shillong.
In further updates, The violence was triggered during a “black-flag” motorcycle rally by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Wednesday, demanding recruitment reforms and implementation of security acts. Protesters vandalised and set ablaze vehicles, including those with Assam registration numbers, and damaged a glass panel of a statue of philosopher Swami Vivekananda.
On top of that, Assam cab operators prevented Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering the state in protest against the violence that left many from their state injured and traumatised. They alleged that Assam-registered vehicles were targeted during the KSU rally.
The blockade impacted the regular movement of vehicles between the two states. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma discussed the matter and issued a joint statement on Friday evening.
Source: Hindustan Times