The Assam-Meghalaya border at Jorabat remained blocked for the second consecutive day on Friday, with protesters shutting off fuel supply to constrict Meghalaya. The Petroleum Mazdoor Union stopped loading of Meghalaya-bound tankers at Assam terminals, disrupting fuel supply to the state and triggering a massive rush at petrol pumps across Shillong. Assam transport associations blocked Meghalaya-registered vehicles at Jorabat, while the FKJGP blocked Assam vehicles at Byrnihat and the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association blocked Assam vehicles at Umiam.
Protesters at Jorabat blocked both incoming and outgoing roads and erected a makeshift shelter on the highway. Ambulances were allowed to pass, but private, commercial and government vehicles from Meghalaya were stopped and turned back. The protesters said their action followed the violence during the Khasi Students’ Union bike rally in Shillong on August 19, in which Assam-registered vehicles were allegedly targeted.
They maintained that ordinary citizens should not face the consequences of political protests and stated that the blockade would continue until the Meghalaya government engaged with them. Despite Home Minister Prestone Tynsong’s statement on Thursday that the matter had been resolved and traffic was smooth, the situation on the ground remained unchanged. A joint committee of Cabinet Ministers from both states has been formed.
Assam’s Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora said the chief secretaries and Directors General of Police of the two states were in regular contact to restore normal movement. Helpline numbers have been activated for Assam tourists stranded in Meghalaya. Meghalaya-bound petroleum tankers are not being allowed to load at the Betkuchi IOCL, HPCL and Numaligarh BPCL terminals following the Mazdoor Union’s decision.
The Meghalaya government has approached the union to work out a solution. Petrol pump owners maintained that they have enough stock to meet demand for about a week. The Food and Civil Supplies Department has written to the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner seeking immediate coordination with Assam authorities, transporters, petroleum workers’ unions and oil companies.
The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association continued its protest at Umiam, seeking reciprocal treatment for Meghalaya tourist taxis in Assam and proposing Jorabat as a common cut-off point. Authorities on both sides have appealed for calm and early resolution.
