Assam-Meghalaya Tension: Heavy Security Deployed, Travel Restrictions Continue For 6th Straight Day

An advisory issued by Assam police urged people to avoid travelling to Meghalaya and if need be, travel using Meghalaya registered vehicles.

Heavy security was deployed, and prohibitory orders remained in force at the disputed area along the Assam-Meghalaya border, where six people were killed following violent clashes, PTI reported citing officials.  

The travel restrictions between the two states also continue to be in place for the sixth consecutive day, on Sunday. 

An advisory by the Assam Police asked people to avoid travelling to the neighbouring state following the incident on Tuesday. 

A policer officer said, as quoted by PTI, “The situation is still not completely peaceful in Meghalaya. There could be attacks on people or vehicles from Assam. Hence, we are asking people not to travel to that state.” 

“If at all someone has to travel, we have asked them to go by Meghalaya-registered vehicles,” he added. 

The officer said that no restrictions were imposed on commercial vehicles like trucks, carrying goods, and other items while police barricades remained erected at Jorabat in Guwahati and Cachar district, the two main entry points from Assam into Meghalaya. 

Section 144 of the CrPC continues to be in place at the clash site and surrounding areas. 

On Tuesday, violence broke out at Mukroh village near the disputed border between the two Assam and Meghalaya in West Karbi Anglong district in the early hours, after a truck allegedly laden with ‘illegally felled timber’ was intercepted by forest guards from Assam. 

Members of various social organisations in Meghalaya burnt effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma among others on Saturday, in protest against the border violence. 

Meghalaya earlier extended the suspension of internet services in seven affected districts for another 48 hours from 10.30 am on Saturday. 

Earlier, PTI reported that Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the loss of lives in firing by Assam officers at the inter-state border. 

CM Sangma has said in a tweet, “Gave a detailed account of the firing incident that claimed six lives at Mukroh to Hon'ble Justice Arun Kumar Mishra Ji, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission and other members of the NHRC with Hon’ble Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong.” 

 

(With PTI Inputs)