Shillong, Sept 8: The standoff between taxi associations of Meghalaya and Assam following the August 19 violence ended Tuesday, with both states agreeing to ensure hassle-free movement of tourist vehicles and address concerns over parking, toilet facilities and police checks, officials said.
The agreement was reached at a joint meeting in Shillong attended by seven tourist taxi associations from Assam and five from Meghalaya, they said.
The meeting was jointly chaired by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam minister Atul Bora.
Dhar said the meeting, initially chaired by the transport commissioners of the two states, was positive and all genuine issues raised by the associations had been accepted.
“The associations from Meghalaya requested parking space at the airport and toilet facilities. The government of Assam has accepted and will do the needful,” Dhar said.
He said both governments have also directed the police of the two states to work together to prevent harassment during checking.
“Both associations have committed to work together from now onwards. If any minor lapses remain, they will be resolved within a few days,” he said.
Dhar said a sub-committee headed by the transport Commissioners of both states would meet as and when required to address any future problems.
Recalling the sequence of events, Bora said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had asked him to immediately take up the matter with Meghalaya after the August 19 violence.
“On August 22, we had a meeting in Guwahati and adopted resolutions. I met the protesters, and they immediately withdrew the protest,” Bora said.
He said the follow-up meeting on Tuesday was held at the request of Meghalaya associations and the situation was now normal.
“The associations are more or less happy. We are working on the resolutions adopted on August 23. Now the situation is normal,” he said. (PTI)
