Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, on Thursday spoke with Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the violence in Shillong on August 19 and the reactions that have followed, affecting common people and commuters in both states.
Taking to X, Sangma said the two states had agreed to work together to normalise the situation and protect the longstanding ties between their people. He stated, “We have agreed to work together, as always, to normalise the situation. Designated Cabinet Ministers from both States will meet to take the discussions forward and explore ways to restore peace, trust and normalcy.”
Appealing to citizens of both states, he stated, “Appeal to citizens of both States to maintain peace, harmony and restraint. Meghalaya and Assam share deep bonds, and we must work together to protect them.”
As part of the agreed approach, designated Cabinet Ministers from Meghalaya and Assam will meet to take the discussions forward and explore measures to restore peace, trust and normalcy.
The intervention comes amid concerns over the impact of the recent developments on ordinary citizens and commuters travelling between the two neighbouring states. Meghalaya and Assam share deep social, economic and familial ties, with people from both states regularly travelling across the border for work, education, healthcare, business and other purposes.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, also taking to X, said he had conveyed Assam’s concern over the recent incidents in Shillong. Describing Assam and Meghalaya as “sister States”, Dr. Sarma said the two states are bound by “deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties” and stressed that “mutual respect, restraint and sensitivity must guide us at all times.”
The Government of Meghalaya remains committed to addressing concerns through dialogue and established democratic and constitutional mechanisms, while ensuring the safety, dignity and rights of citizens.