Nongpoh, August 23: Leaders and members of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) and the All Shillong Taxi Association today gathered again at Umiam to express their protest over what they described as the state government’s failure to take their concerns seriously amid the tensions that have arisen between commercial vehicle operators from Assam and Meghalaya.
During the gathering at Umiam, Ri-Bhoi Assistant Commissioner Eric Dkhar also arrived and tried to advise the drivers not to create any disturbance. He urged them to think collectively and work towards finding an amicable solution so that no further disturbances or unfortunate incidents occur that could affect public peace and security.
The association leaders also alleged that the government was treating them unfairly. They said that during the meeting between the ministers of the two governments yesterday at Khanapara, Assam, the Meghalaya Government decided to compensate the owners of vehicles from Assam that were damaged in Shillong, while nothing was said about Meghalaya commercial vehicles that were damaged in Assam.
The association leaders further expressed disappointment with Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, saying that after returning from the meeting, he did not say anything about their protest, whether at Umiam or Byrnihat. They alleged that when he arrived at these places, he simply passed through without speaking to them, which they said showed that he was not taking their protest seriously.
They therefore said that the government should not act in a one-sided manner and that, whenever discussions are held, the concerns of both sides should be addressed rather than focusing only on the problems faced by drivers from Assam.
Police personnel were also deployed at the gathering at Umiam to maintain security. The Assistant Commissioner also strongly appealed to the protesters not to create any disturbance and urged them to resolve the issue through the proper means, in order to address the situation that has emerged and affected the movement of the public.
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