Guwahati: The Army and Rapid Action Force (RAF) conducted a flag march across Shillong on Saturday, August 22, as security was tightened in the Meghalaya capital following violence during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally on August 19.
The deployment came amid heightened tensions after vehicles carrying tourists from Assam were allegedly attacked during a KSU black-flag protest in Shillong. Several vehicles were vandalised, with windows and windshields damaged, while some tourists were reportedly injured. Public property was also damaged during the violence.
The Centre has approved the deployment of five companies of central armed forces in Meghalaya to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora held a high-level meeting with senior officials from both states in Guwahati on Saturday to assess the situation and discuss measures to prevent further escalation.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of tensions following the Shillong violence and subsequent protests at Jorabat, a major entry point between Assam and Meghalaya.
Bora described the Shillong incident as “unwarranted and unfortunate” and said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had acted promptly after the violence. He said Sarma had spoken with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who subsequently tasked Dhar with engaging on the issue and exploring steps to restore peace and ensure smooth movement between the two states.
Bora appealed to people in Assam and Meghalaya to maintain peace and harmony, highlighting the longstanding ties between the neighbouring states.
The Shillong violence triggered protests by motor vehicle workers’ unions in Assam. Demonstrations began at Jorabat the following day, with protesters stopping Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering Assam and, in some instances, forcing them to return.
The protests entered their third day, with demonstrators demanding compensation for vehicles damaged during the Shillong violence and an apology from the authorities concerned. Police and reserve police personnel were deployed in large numbers at Jorabat to prevent any further escalation.
A protesting cab driver said the workers were seeking a resolution and compensation for vehicles damaged during the Shillong incident. He also said any damage caused to Meghalaya-registered vehicles during the Jorabat protests should be compensated.
The Shillong violence followed a KSU black-flag protest during which unidentified masked individuals allegedly targeted vehicles carrying tourists from Assam. Three senior KSU leaders -President Raymond Kharjana, Vice President Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, and General Secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested late Wednesday in connection with the incident.
On Thursday, Sarma said he had spoken with Sangma and that the immediate priority was to address the concerns of Assam residents stranded in Meghalaya amid the tense situation.
The situation has also prompted calls for stronger action from organisations in Assam. The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) on Friday called for an economic blockade and warned of action against Meghalaya residents living in Assam if attacks on Assamese people in Shillong continued.
With additional security forces deployed in Shillong and Jorabat, authorities in both states are focusing on preventing further violence and restoring the free movement of people and vehicles between Assam and Meghalaya.