Economic Blockade Called Against Meghalaya Over Alleged Attacks on Assamese

STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati: The Nagarik Surakshya Samity, Assam, has announced a complete economic blockade of Meghalaya, citing repeated attacks and harassment of Assamese tourists, taxi drivers, and other residents in various parts of Meghalaya. In a statement, President Kailash Sharma condemned what he described as atrocities allegedly committed by members of the Khasi Students’ Union and other groups against people from Assam.

Sharma attributed many of the current issues to political decisions made during the formation of Meghalaya in 1972. He alleged that significant areas of land, including valuable parts of Guwahati and projects such as the Umiam hydropower project, were handed over to Meghalaya without proper consultation with the people of Assam.

Referring to recent incidents, Sharma claimed that Assamese tourists, vehicle owners, and taxi drivers have once again faced “inhuman treatment” in Shillong and other regions of the state. He appealed to people across Assam to set aside political differences and unite in opposition to such incidents, advocating for a prolonged blockade of the entry routes from Assam into Meghalaya as an economic measure to pressure the Meghalaya government into action.

Sharma also urged the Assam government, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), and other social and non-political organisations to take immediate steps to resolve the issue. Raising the longstanding boundary dispute, he called upon Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to initiate legal measures to reclaim areas such as Khanapara and other historically significant parts of Guwahati, which he alleged were transferred to Meghalaya at the time of its creation.

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