Shillong: The Army and Rapid Action Force (RAF) conducted a flag march across Shillong on Saturday as security was tightened in the Meghalaya capital following violence during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally on August 19.
The deployment came amid heightened tensions after vehicles carrying tourists from Assam were allegedly attacked during the KSU’s black-flag protest. Several vehicles were vandalised, with their windshields and windows smashed, while a number of tourists were reportedly injured. Public property was also damaged.
The Centre approved the deployment of five companies of central armed forces in Meghalaya to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora and Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar held a high-level meeting with senior officials of both states in Guwahati on Saturday to review the situation and discuss measures to prevent further escalation.
Bora described the Shillong incident as “unwarranted and unfortunate” and said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had spoken to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. Sangma subsequently entrusted Dhar with deliberating on the situation and exploring measures to ensure peace and smooth movement between the two states.
Bora appealed to people in both states to maintain peace and harmony, citing the longstanding relationship between Assam and Meghalaya.
The violence in Shillong triggered protests by motor vehicle workers’ unions in Assam, with demonstrations at Jorabat, a key entry point between the two states. Protesters prevented Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering Assam and, in some instances, forced them to return.
The protests entered their third day on Friday, with demonstrators demanding compensation for vehicles damaged during the Shillong violence and an apology from the authorities concerned. Police and reserve police personnel were deployed in the area to prevent escalation.
Three senior KSU office-bearers — president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar — were arrested in connection with the violence.
On Thursday, Sarma said he had spoken to Sangma and that the immediate priority was to address the concerns of people from Assam who remained stranded in Meghalaya.
The developments have also prompted calls for stronger action from organisations in Assam. The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) called for an economic blockade and warned of action against Meghalaya residents living in Assam if attacks on Assamese people in Shillong continued.
With security forces deployed in Shillong and additional personnel maintaining a presence at Jorabat, authorities in both states are focusing on preventing further incidents and ensuring uninterrupted movement of people and vehicles between Assam and Meghalaya.
