Shillong, Sept 18: The protest launched by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) against Assam tourist taxis has backfired, with Assam drivers retaliating by blocking all Meghalaya vehicles at Jorabat on Thursday.
What began as AKMTTA’s decision earlier this week to restrict Assam tourist taxis from ferrying visitors to destinations across Meghalaya including at Umtyngngar on the Shillong route it quickly escalated into a tit-for-tat standoff. Assam tourist taxi drivers claimed that the free entry of Assam taxis into Meghalaya was being restricted on the grounds that it affected the livelihood of local drivers.
On Thursday morning, the retaliation was felt across the border: all Meghalaya vehicles tourist taxis as well as private cars were stopped at Jorabat. Passengers were forced to disembark and switch to Assam vehicles to continue their journey. Even those heading to Assam hospitals, airports, or railway stations were not spared.
Among those caught in the blockade was former Meghalaya Minister Rakkam A Sangma, whose vehicle was initially stopped but later allowed to move after intervention by Assam Police.
Angry commuters expressed their frustration over the incident, blaming AKMTTA for triggering the crisis and placing ordinary people in hardship.
They urged the Meghalaya Government to step in immediately to resolve the standoff and rein in AKMTTA before the situation worsens.
 against Assam tourist taxis has backfired, with Assam drivers retaliating by blocking all Meghalaya vehicles at Jorabat on Thursday.){kind=link}