Meghalaya, Assam cabbies to move govts for end to woes

SHILLONG, Nov 25: The Iaitylli Tourist Taxi Owners’ and Drivers’ Association (ITTO&DA) from Meghalaya and the All Assam Drivers’ Union will petition their respective state governments, seeking an end to the problems faced by the tourist taxis in the wake of Mukroh firing incident.
The decision to submit a memorandum citing their predicament was taken during a meeting of the two associations in Jorabat on Friday.
Speaking to reporters here, ITTO&DA general secretary Balajied Jyrwa informed that the cabbies from Meghalaya are facing hurdles in dropping off passengers to Assam due to non-provision of security unlike their counterparts.
“We are not getting such support from the state government. We will be forced to stop plying (our vehicles) if police security is not given to us,” Jyrwa said, alleging that there are many drivers from Meghalaya who were attacked in Assam.
Stating that windshields of many Meghalaya-registered vehicles were broken in Assam, he said that they will suggest the state government to prepare a mechanism which will ensure that the tourist inflow is not affected even if such incidents take place in the future.
According to Jyrwa, people from Meghalaya, who had gone outside for admission or treatment, are facing problems in view of the current situation.