TURA, Nov 9 - More than 40 organisations from Assam today staged a two-hour highway blockade demanding Meghalaya to allow unhindered movement of public transport through the Garo Hills.
The organisations that blocked NH-62 at Damra in Goalpara district also gave an ultimatum to the two governments to sort out the matters between themselves and allow smooth movement of people from Assam, failing which the organisations have threatened an economic blockade against Meghalaya.
At least 40 groups including AASU, AMSU, ARSU, ABSU, Sumo and Winger Associations of Dudhnoi among others took part in the protest.
The threat of an economic blockade comes after Meghalaya made COVID-19 test reports mandatory for entering the State from other areas.
However, the point of entry to the Garo Hills region has been set up only at Berubari near Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills (NGH).
�We have seen that vehicles from Assam, including buses, taxis, etc. are not allowed to enter Meghalaya. The entry has been allowed only through Paikan road. What about the road between Dudhnoi and Baghmara? The Assam government must talk to the Meghalaya government and allow movement of vehicles and people through here as well,� said Animul H Choudhury, AMSU leader from Goalpara.
Choudhury added that the restriction imposed by Meghalaya is taking a heavy toll on the lives of people of Assam as most of their business interests lie in Meghalaya.
The organisations have stated that they have given a 72-hour deadline to solve the problem or they would resort to an indefinite economic blockade.
The organisations had earlier also threatened an economic blockade against the Garo Hills region after which lockdown rules were modified by Meghalaya to ease restrictions to allow trade and commerce between Assam and Meghalaya.
