Shillong, Sept 18: The standoff between tourist taxi associations of Meghalaya and Assam has intensified, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded at the Jorabat border on Thursday after Assam counterparts retaliated with a blockade.

The confrontation began earlier this week when the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) blocked Assam-registered tourist taxis at multiple locations, including Umtyngngar, preventing them from ferrying tourists to destinations beyond Shillong. The association argued that the unrestricted entry of Assam-based cabs has severely affected the livelihoods of local drivers.

In response, transport unions in Assam launched a counter-blockade, restricting Meghalaya-registered tourist taxis from operating at key hubs such as Guwahati Railway Station, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, and now at the Assam-Meghalaya border in Jorabat. The blockade has caused widespread travel disruption, with hundreds of passengers, including tourists, left stranded.

Tensions peaked when former Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma’s vehicle was stopped by protestors. He was eventually able to move forward with assistance from Assam Police.
Former Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has urged the AKMTTA to hold direct talks with their Assam counterparts to resolve the dispute, stressing that prolonged blockades could cripple tourism in both states. The AKMTTA has been pressing for the implementation of a Reciprocal Transport Agreement and a new transport policy for Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, Assam’s taxi associations have warned of stronger retaliatory actions if restrictions on their vehicles continue. The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) and the state government have also voiced concern, cautioning that the AKMTTA’s actions could inflict severe damage on Meghalaya’s tourism-dependent economy.

The escalating conflict has disrupted the movement of tourists and commuters, creating uncertainty for those travelling between the two states. Several groups of visitors have already been forced to turn back, while Assam unions have threatened a complete boycott of Meghalaya taxis if the situation remains unresolved.

With tensions rising and commuters caught in the crossfire, both state governments are under mounting pressure to intervene swiftly and restore normalcy in inter-state travel.

Also Read: Tour Operators urges Taxi Union to call off strike, warns protest could cripple State’s Tourism industry

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