Guwahati: Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora and Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar held a high-level meeting in Guwahati on Saturday to discuss the prevailing situation between the two neighbouring states following recent incidents of violence and disruption of vehicular movement.
Senior officials from both Assam and Meghalaya also attended the meeting, which focused on measures to restore peace, maintain harmony and ensure the smooth movement of people and vehicles between the states.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Atul Bora condemned the attack on Assam-registered vehicles in Shillong last Wednesday, describing the incident as “unwarranted and unfortunate”.
Bora said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had promptly taken up the matter with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma following the incidents.
He said Sangma had entrusted Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar with discussions on the prevailing situation and exploring measures to restore normalcy and facilitate smooth movement between the neighbouring states.
The Assam minister appealed to people in both states to maintain peace and harmony and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.
“Our relationship is very old,” Bora said, stressing the longstanding ties between the people of Assam and Meghalaya.
The meeting comes amid disruptions to transport along the Assam-Meghalaya corridor following attacks on vehicles and subsequent protests and blockades involving transport operators from both states.
Both governments are now working to ease tensions and ensure that commuters, commercial vehicles and essential services can move freely between the two states.