Guwahati, 20 August (HS): Tension between Assam and Meghalaya has escalated after vehicles from Assam were allegedly targeted during a bike rally organised by a Khasi student organisation in Shillong on Wednesday. Following the incident, Meghalaya-registered vehicles travelling towards Guwahati have been stopped and turned back at the Khanapara-Jorabat border, causing inconvenience to commuters and passengers.

The restrictions were imposed on Thursday as a retaliatory response by transport organisations and local residents in Assam after reports of vandalism targeting Assam-registered vehicles in Meghalaya.

A similar dispute had earlier emerged over taxi services. At that time, some organisations and taxi unions in Meghalaya, including the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association, had reportedly restricted Assam tourist vehicles from travelling to tourist destinations in Meghalaya. In response, Assam-based motor transport organisations had stopped Meghalaya-registered vehicles near Guwahati, Jorabat and Khanapara.

Following Wednesday's incident in Meghalaya, vehicle drivers and owners have been preventing Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering Assam at Khanapara and Jorabat in Guwahati. The situation has created considerable tension in the border areas. Police personnel have been deployed on both sides, but tension continues to prevail.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash