Dibrugarh: The Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Parishad (AJYP) has condemned the alleged attacks on vehicles and tourists from Assam in Meghalaya amid recent tension along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
In a press statement issued on Friday, AJYP central committee general secretary Udayan Kumar Gogoi alleged that some Khasi people, reportedly associated with the Khasi Students’ Union, had attacked vehicles and tourists travelling from Assam to Meghalaya.
The organisation urged the Meghalaya government to take immediate and stringent measures to ensure the safety of people from Assam.
The AJYP alleged that similar incidents targeting Assam-bound or Assam-registered vehicles and tourists had occurred in Meghalaya on earlier occasions as well.
While three local Meghalaya leaders have reportedly been detained in connection with the recent violence, the organisation expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the absence of an official apology or expression of regret from the Meghalaya government.
The organisation demanded the immediate arrest of all those allegedly involved in attacking Assam’s drivers and tourists and damaging vehicles.
It also demanded full compensation for the damage and repairs to the affected vehicles, besides an immediate apology from the Meghalaya government to the people of Assam.
The AJYP warned that failure to meet its demands could force the organisation to launch stringent democratic programmes, including a complete blockade against Meghalaya.
The organisation also raised questions about taxation and road-use arrangements between the two neighbouring states.
Gogoi said vehicle owners in Assam pay various taxes, including road tax, parking charges and tolls on national highways, and questioned why similar road-use charges or taxes should not apply to vehicles entering Assam from Meghalaya.
He said inter-state connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya was important for people in both states. Many residents of Meghalaya travel to Guwahati for healthcare, education, business and air travel, while people from Assam frequently visit Meghalaya for tourism and other purposes.
“Assam and Meghalaya must maintain equality and reciprocity in matters of taxation, road use and security,” Gogoi said, calling for mutual respect and equal treatment.
The AJYP maintained that the people of Assam do not want any confrontation but said ensuring the safety of citizens and vehicles, equal rights, a fair taxation system and mutual respect was the responsibility of both governments.
The organisation urged the Assam and Meghalaya governments to initiate dialogue and take immediate steps to find a permanent solution to the issues between the two states.