Assam, Meghalaya Set 48-Hour Plan to Clear Stranded Vehicles
Aug 22, 2026
The governments of Assam and Meghalaya on Saturday agreed on a 48-hour plan to facilitate the safe movement of stranded tourists and vehicles between the two states following the violence reported in Shillong on August 19.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting at the Koinadhara State Guest House in Guwahati, led by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam Minister Atul Bora. Senior officials from both states attended the meeting, which focused on restoring normal interstate movement and preventing further escalation of tensions.
Under the plan, all remaining passengers and vehicles stranded in Meghalaya and seeking to return to Assam will be safely escorted over the next 48 hours. Officials said more than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles have already been escorted safely into Assam, while most stranded travellers have crossed key transit points, including the Umiam area. Around 400 to 500 vehicles that had earlier been held up in Meghalaya have also moved through the affected stretches.
The Assam Control Room has received 54 distress calls involving 175 people seeking assistance. These include passengers travelling in 22 private vehicles and five tourist vehicles. Meghalaya's Control Room has received 379 distress calls and has been coordinating assistance for those requiring safe passage.
The Meghalaya government expressed regret over the August 19 violence and assured Assam that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
So far, 15 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence. Five people allegedly involved in attacks, particularly against Assam-registered vehicles, have been arrested. The Meghalaya government has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify other persons involved and ensure their prosecution under the law.
The Meghalaya government further informed the Assam delegation that the president, vice-president and general secretary of the Khasi Students' Union had been arrested under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act.
