Meghalaya CM Urges Calm Amid Assam Border Tensions
Conrad Sangma warns of strong action against those spreading fear after Shillong violence
- CM Conrad Sangma appealed to people to maintain peace and remain calm.
- Meghalaya Police have arrested four people in connection with the August 19 violence.
- Fifteen cases have been registered and an SIT is probing the incidents.
- Assam-Meghalaya coordination measures are being strengthened to restore normal movement.
GG News Bureau
Shillong, August 24: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has appealed to people to remain calm amid tensions with Assam following the violence in Shillong on August 19, while warning that strict action will be taken against those attempting to create fear in society.
Calling the incident “very, very unfortunate”, Sangma said the government would not spare those responsible for violence and intimidation.
The Chief Minister said the immediate tension had eased following discussions and negotiations, but stressed that nobody had the right to take the law into their own hands or harm innocent people.
“People have the right to protest peacefully,” Sangma said, while urging society and organisations to send a clear message that violence is unacceptable.
The Meghalaya government has reported that 31 vehicles were damaged and 18 people injured during the August 19 violence. Fifteen cases have been registered, while four people have been arrested. Five masked individuals have also been identified in connection with attacks, particularly those targeting Assam-registered vehicles.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the incidents and identify those involved.
Sangma said the government would continue dialogue with organisations on legitimate issues but warned that there was a limit to such engagement. Any violation of the law, he said, would invite action.
Meanwhile, Assam and Meghalaya are taking steps to restore normal movement across the inter-state border. A joint meeting on August 22 led to the lifting of the Jorabat road blockade, allowing essential commodity movement to resume.
The two states have also proposed a dedicated hotline, district-level joint committees and a transport coordination mechanism involving authorities and tourist vehicle associations to address security concerns and facilitate the movement of passengers and vehicles.
