Meghalaya Suspends Protest Against Assam-Registered Cabs
Introduction: A Tense Standoff Eases at the Border
On September 18, 2025, a simmering dispute between tourist taxi operators from Meghalaya and Assam reached a boiling point at the Jorabat border, the vital gateway between the two northeastern states. What began as a localized agitation by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) against Assam-registered cabs encroaching on local livelihoods escalated into a full-scale blockade, stranding hundreds of passengers, including tourists and even a former Meghalaya minister. By evening, however, calm prevailed as both sides agreed to suspend their protests temporarily, paving the way for high-level talks on September 23. This de-escalation, brokered by district administrations from East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya and Kamrup in Assam, averted a potential tourism crisis during the peak season, but underlying tensions over interstate vehicle permits and economic competition linger.
The conflict, rooted in longstanding grievances over unregulated cross-border operations, highlights the fragile economic interdependence between these neighboring states. Meghalaya's taxi unions argue that Assam cabs, often cheaper and more numerous, undercut local drivers by ferrying tourists directly to popular spots like Shillong, Cherrapunji, and Dawki, bypassing designated hubs. In retaliation, Assam operators blocked Meghalaya vehicles at key entry points like Guwahati's airport and railway station, causing chaos. The suspension—announced after urgent meetings involving Deputy Commissioner R.M. Kurbah of East Khasi Hills and Assam transport officials—offers a brief respite, but stakeholders warn that without a reciprocal transport agreement, similar flare-ups could recur. As the Northeast's tourism sector, valued at over ₹10,000 crore annually, hangs in the balance, this episode underscores the need for collaborative policies to foster rather than fracture regional growth. This comprehensive analysis explores the dispute's origins, the dramatic escalation, the path to suspension, stakeholder perspectives, economic ramifications, and the road ahead for interstate harmony.
Background: Simmering Tensions Over Interstate Taxi Operations
The seeds of this protest were sown months ago, amid a surge in tourism to Meghalaya's lush hills and cascading waterfalls, drawing over 1.5 million visitors in the first half of 2025 alone—a 25% increase from 2024, per Meghalaya Tourism Department data. Assam, with its sprawling Guwahati airport and railway hubs serving as primary entry points, has long been a transit corridor for these travelers. However, the influx of Assam-registered tourist taxis—equipped with all-India permits and often operating at lower fares—has irked local unions in Meghalaya, who claim it erodes their revenue streams.
The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA), representing over 2,000 drivers primarily from the Khasi community, has been vocal since August 2024. In a statement dated August 15, 2024, AKMTTA spokesperson Balajied Jyrwa highlighted how Assam cabs, originating from Guwahati, bypass local operators by picking up passengers at airports and dropping them directly at destinations like Umiam Lake or Elephant Falls. "Our drivers wait at designated points in Shillong, but tourists prefer the one-stop Assam service, leaving us with empty vehicles," Jyrwa told reporters then. The association demanded a "Sikkim-model" policy—restricting out-of-state vehicles to drop-off zones, mandating local cabs for internal tours—to safeguard livelihoods.
This call echoed a broader pattern in India's Northeast, where interstate transport rivalries have flared sporadically. In July 2024, similar protests in Nagaland against Manipur-registered buses led to temporary blockades at Dimapur. Meghalaya's government, under Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, had initially downplayed concerns, with Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh assuring on July 18, 2024, "There is no ban on Assam tourist cabs; we seek balanced access." Yet, enforcement lagged, with over 500 Assam vehicles reportedly operating freely in Meghalaya's tourist circuits by September 2025, per AKMTTA estimates.
The tipping point arrived on September 3, 2025, when AKMTTA announced an indefinite strike starting September 16, vowing to distribute pamphlets and block Assam cabs at entry points like Umtyngngar and Jorabat. "This is not harassment but self-preservation," Jyrwa emphasized, citing a 30% drop in local earnings since 2024. The move aligned with peak season—September-October sees 40% of annual footfall—amplifying stakes for an industry employing 15,000 directly in Meghalaya.
The Escalation: Blockades and Stranded Travelers at Jorabat
The strike ignited on September 16, with AKMTTA members fanning out across Shillong's parking lots and tourist hubs, handing pamphlets to Assam drivers and urging passengers to switch vehicles. Initial days were tense but contained: A few Assam cabs were turned back at Smit and Cherrapunji, but no major disruptions occurred. By September 17, however, retaliation brewed. The Tourist Transporters Association of Assam (TTAA), representing 5,000+ operators, condemned the move as "discriminatory," warning of reciprocal action. "Our vehicles hold valid three-state permits for Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal—banning us is economic sabotage," TTAA secretary Anirban Goswami stated in a September 17 press release.
Tensions boiled over on September 18 at Jorabat, the 10-km stretch linking Guwahati to Shillong, a daily thoroughfare for 10,000+ vehicles. At dawn, AKMTTA enforced stricter checks, detaining over 50 Assam cabs and forcing passengers to disembark mid-road. Videos circulating on social media showed heated exchanges, with drivers from both sides shouting slogans. By 8 AM, TTAA mobilized 300 members, blocking the highway with placards reading "Equal Rights for Interstate Cabs." The logjam stranded hundreds: Tourists from Kolkata, bound for Dawki's living root bridges, waited hours; a 44-member student group from Aliah University, Kolkata, led by Professor A.K.M. Anwaruz Zaman, was marooned since 6 AM, their field trip to Shillong delayed indefinitely.
The standoff peaked around 11 AM when former Meghalaya Education Minister and NPP legislator Rakkam A. Sangma's convoy was halted. Sangma, en route to Garo Hills for a party meeting, faced jeers from Assam protesters demanding he "return to Meghalaya." Videos showed him alighting, engaging in dialogue, before Assam Police escorted him through—a 30-minute ordeal that went viral, amassing 500,000 views on X by noon. "This is not about politics; it's about fairness," Sangma later tweeted, urging de-escalation.
Chaos ensued: Traffic backed up 5 km on NH-6, with ambulances and fuel tankers caught. The Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya (TOAM) warned of a "tourism apocalypse," estimating ₹50 lakh daily losses. By midday, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Andrew Myrthong and Additional SP Orville Massar rushed to Jorabat, flanked by Assam's Kamrup officials. A three-hour huddle yielded assurances: Temporary suspension pending September 23 talks involving Chief Ministers' offices, Transport, and Tourism Departments.
The Suspension: Brokered Truce and Government Intervention
By 2:30 PM, the blockade lifted. AKMTTA, in a joint statement with East Khasi Hills DC R.M. Kurbah, announced suspension: "We trust the government's commitment to address our demands on September 23." Balajied Jyrwa clarified to media: "This isn't a ban on Assam vehicles entering Meghalaya—we demand only that they stop at hubs like Shillong, using local cabs for internal spots." The Motor Parivahan Sewakarmi Sanmilita Mancha (MPSSM) of Assam, the umbrella body for transport unions, reciprocated, withdrawing their entry ban till Sunday, September 21. Secretary Anirban Goswami noted: "Chief secretary-level deliberations assure parity—our three-state permits must be honored."
The intervention was swift: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma convened a virtual call with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at 1 PM, agreeing to a joint working group. Sangma tweeted: "Interstate harmony is key to Northeast's growth—let's resolve collaboratively." Retaliatory detentions ceased; by 4 PM, traffic normalized, with stranded tourists bused to Shillong. The Tour Operators of Meghalaya (TOAM) hailed the truce but cautioned: "Peak season bookings could drop 20% if unresolved—₹200 crore at risk."
This suspension echoes a fragile August 2024 agreement among 14 taxi associations for free movement, undermined by inconsistent enforcement. The September 23 meeting, involving CMO, Transport, and Tourism, aims for a Reciprocal Transport Agreement—mandating drop-off zones and fare parity—to prevent recurrence.
Perspectives from Stakeholders: Voices of Frustration and Hope
The dispute's human toll is vivid in stakeholder accounts. AKMTTA's Jyrwa, a Shillong-based driver with 15 years' experience, shared: "We earn ₹800-1,200 daily ferrying to Umiam—Assam cabs charge ₹600, undercutting us. It's survival, not hate." TTAA's Goswami countered: "Our permits are legal; restrictions violate federal spirit. We've invested in EVs for eco-tourism—why punish us?"
Tourists bore the brunt: Professor Zaman's group, delayed six hours, called it "unprofessional," while a Delhi family en route to Mawlynnong vented on TripAdvisor: "Stranded with kids—Northeast's beauty marred by bureaucracy." TOAM President Banlum Blah warned: "This hurts everyone—hotels, guides, vendors lose ₹50 lakh daily. A Sikkim-model reciprocity is essential."
Government voices balanced: Meghalaya Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar stated: "No ban exists; we're for mutual access with safeguards." Assam's Parimal Suklabaidya echoed: "Tourism unites us—let's formalize permits."
Civil society, via the Northeast Students' Organisation, urged dialogue: "Economic rivalry shouldn't fracture brotherhood."
Economic Ramifications: Tourism's Fragile Northeast Web
Meghalaya's tourism, contributing 10% to GSDP (₹3,000 crore in 2024), relies on Assam's gateways—Guwahati airport handles 70% arrivals. The blockade's two-day hit: ₹100 crore losses, per TOAM, with 500 flights affected indirectly. Assam's operators, ferrying 40% Meghalaya-bound tourists, face 20% revenue dip.
Long-term, unresolved tensions could slash 2025 footfall 15% (₹500 crore), deterring investors in eco-resorts. Positive: The truce boosts confidence; September 23 talks could birth a Northeast Transport Pact, integrating apps for seamless bookings.
The Road Ahead: Towards Interstate Harmony
September 23's meeting is pivotal—agenda: Reciprocal agreements, permit standardization, fare caps. Success could model SAARC-level cooperation; failure risks escalation. CMs Sangma and Sarma's rapport—post-2024 floods aid—offers hope.
In conclusion, Meghalaya's suspension of the protest against Assam-registered cabs on September 18, 2025, diffused a border crisis born of economic fears, stranding travelers and threatening tourism. From AKMTTA's blockade to TTAA's retaliation, it exposed Northeast's interconnected vulnerabilities. As talks loom, resolution isn't just policy—it's a promise of shared prosperity, ensuring the hills' allure remains unmarred by highway hurdles
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