Guwahati: Long queues formed at petrol pumps across Shillong on Friday evening and Saturday Morning as residents rushed to refuel amid growing concerns over a possible disruption in fuel supplies to Meghalaya.
The rush followed the ongoing road blockade at Jorabat, on the outskirts of Guwahati, where protests over attacks on Assam-registered vehicles and tourists in Shillong entered their third day. Protesters continued to stop Meghalaya-registered vehicles and force them to return, despite the deployment of police and reserve forces in the area.
The protests began after vehicles carrying tourists from Assam were allegedly targeted during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) black-flag rally in Shillong on 19th August . Several vehicles were damaged and some tourists were reportedly injured.
In Shillong, rumours of a possible disruption in petrol supplies, along with social media messages claiming that fuel supplies would be stopped, triggered panic buying and severe traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, protesting cab drivers in Assam have demanded compensation for damaged vehicles and an apology from the authorities. They have also called for dialogue to resolve the dispute and urged both state governments to intervene, stressing that ordinary people should not suffer because of the actions of a few.