GUWAHATI, Aug 21: Traffic between Assam and Meghalaya remained disrupted for a second consecutive day on Friday as members of the Assam State Drivers’ Union (ASDU) continued a blockade at Jorabat, obstructing vehicles bound for the neighbouring State and preventing some Assam-registered vehicles from entering Meghalaya.
Blockade, scale and conduct
Drivers parked trucks across the roadway and sat on the tarmac to stop movement, with more than 100 drivers reported at the site. Protesters said they were targeting only tourist vehicles while allowing ambulances and goods carriers to pass.
The blockade followed a rally by the Khasi Students’ Union in Shillong on August 19 during which several Assam-registered vehicles were reportedly attacked. ASDU members said the incidents had affected their livelihoods and safety while operating between Guwahati and Shillong.
“We want an assurance from the Meghalaya govt that drivers from Assam travelling to Shillong will not be harassed or stopped, as they are simply doing their jobs,”
The statement was attributed to Abdul Kadir, ASDU secretary, who told reporters the group had staged the blockade in demand of formal assurances from Meghalaya authorities. He added the protest would continue until such an assurance was provided.
Impact on passengers, tourism and commerce
Drivers at the blockade warned of potential damage to tourism in Meghalaya, noting that Guwahati acts as a major gateway for visitors to the hill state. Many tourists land at Guwahati because Shillong’s Umroi Airport has limited domestic connectivity, increasing dependence on road links.
Bishu Das, a driver with more than 15 years of experience on the Guwahati–Shillong route, said the disruption could dent the peak tourist season starting next month. “We pay a significant amount for tourist permits, and incidents like this create a negative image of the state. We cannot take tourists who want to visit Meghalaya because it becomes a risk for both them and us,” he said.
Commuters travelling for work and business have been inconvenienced, and the blockade threatened scheduled movements of passenger vehicles. City police were reported to be monitoring the situation at Jorabat.
Protesters’ stated objectives and demands
ASDU representatives said the immediate demand was a guarantee from Meghalaya’s government that Assam drivers would not face harassment while carrying out their work in Shillong and other parts of Meghalaya. The union framed the action as a response to recurring instances of alleged obstruction and attacks on Assam-registered vehicles during student protests.
- Location: Jorabat, on the Assam–Meghalaya border
- Protesters: Assam State Drivers’ Union (ASDU)
- Reported strength: Over 100 drivers
- Concessions: Ambulances and goods carriers allowed to pass
Authorities’ role and next steps
Police presence was noted at the Jorabat site, with city police monitoring the blockade. There was no immediate report in the source material of negotiations between ASDU and Meghalaya officials or of any intervention by state administrations to defuse the situation.
As the blockade enters its second day, its duration and potential escalation remain contingent on whether the Meghalaya government provides the assurances sought by ASDU or if talks are initiated between the stakeholders.
Wider implications
Road disruptions at inter-State border points such as Jorabat have implications beyond passenger inconvenience: local tourism operators, transporters and traders who rely on smooth connectivity stand to lose revenue, while supply chains for some goods could be affected if the protest spreads or prolongs. With the peak tourist season approaching, drivers said the timing could aggravate economic losses for those dependent on travel between the two states.
Further updates are likely as parties respond to the union’s demand for guarantees on the safety of Assam drivers in Meghalaya.
