STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Vehicular movement between Assam and Meghalaya remained disrupted for the second consecutive day on Friday as protesters at Jorabat continued to block vehicles bearing Meghalaya registration numbers from entering Assam, amid heightened tensions following violence during a Khasi Students' Union (KSU) rally in Shillong.
The blockade along the Guwahati-Shillong corridor affected movement of both Meghalaya-bound and Assam-bound vehicles, with several transport workers reporting difficulties in crossing the inter-state route.
Speaking about the ongoing blockade, a protesting driver said the agitation was intended to highlight the economic impact of disruptions along the Guwahati-Shillong corridor.
"If we continue to block Meghalaya vehicles entering Guwahati even for six hours, their economic backbone will remain broken for six hours. This is not just a movement by cab drivers. Miscreants had attacked private vehicles. Even children travelling in those vehicles were not spared," he said.
Questioning the response of the authorities, the protester said, "It's a shame if this incident does not affect our administration or our state as a whole. Does Assam only needs to follow the Indian Constitution? I urge every citizen in Assam to hold the state government accountable."
He further warned that protesters would continue to restrict the movement of vehicles travelling to and from Meghalaya through the National Highway and GS Road corridor.
The blockade has also affected Assam-based drivers seeking to enter Meghalaya. One driver claimed that he was forced to return after being denied passage through Byrnihat.
"Protesters are not letting us move through Byrnihat into Meghalaya. I went yesterday evening but had to make a U-turn. The problem is stemming from Meghalaya. Unions there often cause disruption and issues for Assam drivers and vehicles. No driver or association from Assam ever does something like this," he complained.
At Jorabat, protesters also claimed that they had not received any formal communication from either the Assam or Meghalaya governments.
"Till now there has been no communication from either side. Even if there is any response, it should be given here on the spot and in writing. Our question is why the Meghalaya government could not provide enough protection to our people from Assam," another protester said.
The continuing blockade has added to concerns over the movement of passengers, commercial vehicles and transport workers along the key inter-state corridor, with tensions between the two neighbouring States remaining high following the recent incidents in Shillong.
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