Guwahati, August 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Assam and Meghalaya governments have agreed on a series of measures to ease tensions following the August 19 violence in Shillong, with Meghalaya assuring the safe return of stranded Assam tourists, compensation for injured people and damaged vehicles, and strict action against those responsible for the attacks.
The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting at the Koinadhara State Guest House in Guwahati, chaired by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora.
The meeting, which was attended by senior officials from both states and continued for more than three hours, focused on restoring the normal movement of people and vehicles along interstate routes.
Dhar expressed regret over the August 19 incident and assured Assam that strong action would be taken against those involved. He said 15 FIRs had been registered in connection with the violence and that the president, vice-president and general secretary of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) had been arrested under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act.
Five masked individuals allegedly involved in attacks on Assam-registered vehicles have also been identified, Dhar said. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to identify all those involved and ensure their prosecution according to law.
The Meghalaya government informed the meeting that more than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles had already been safely escorted into Assam.
The Assam Control Room received 54 distress calls involving 175 people, including occupants of 22 private vehicles and five tourist vehicles. Meghalaya’s control room received 379 distress calls and has been assisting people seeking safe passage.
Both governments agreed that passengers and vehicles still stranded in Meghalaya and wishing to return to Assam would be escorted safely within the next 48 hours.
A dedicated coordination mechanism involving senior police officers from both states will also be established. The mechanism will include Assam Inspector General of Police (Special Branch) Ratna Singha and Meghalaya IGP (Law and Order) Davis N.R. Marak.
Dedicated helplines and an online support forum will be set up to assist stranded travellers.
The two states also decided to establish permanent district-level joint committees involving the administrations and police of Kamrup Metropolitan and Nongpoh to address border-related issues promptly.
Another joint committee comprising senior transport officials and tourist vehicle associations will be formed to regulate tourist movement and safeguard shared tourism interests.
Both governments agreed to ensure safe transit through each other’s territories, including the movement of people between Assam’s Barak Valley and other parts of the state through Meghalaya.
The Meghalaya government reiterated that it would take responsibility for the safety and security of tourists and vehicles from Assam and other parts of India during their stay and movement within the state.
The measures are aimed at preventing further escalation and restoring normal interstate traffic following the Shillong violence and subsequent protests at Jorabat.
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