Assam drivers warn against such move while operating in state
SHILLONG, Sep 11: A Meghalaya-based tourist taxi driver was allegedly confronted by a group of Assam drivers for displaying a black flag on his vehicle.
In a video, which went viral on Wednesday, the driver from Meghalaya is seen being confronted by a group of Assam tourist taxi drivers, who have warned against displaying such flags on vehicles operating in Assam.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Khanapara taxi stand.
In the video, the drivers from Assam can be heard telling the Meghalaya driver to operate within his own state if he wished to display the black flag, stating that such flags would not be permitted in Assam. The authenticity of the video has not been verified by The Shillong Times.
The driver from Meghalaya eventually removed the flag peacefully after the altercation.
It may be mentioned that the displaying of black flags is part of a protest, which was launched by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA), demanding restrictions on Assam taxis ferrying passengers to tourist spots in Meghalaya.
There have also been complaints from passengers about aggressive behaviour by Assam taxi drivers at the same stand.
On Tuesday, drivers there reportedly behaved rudely with passengers from Shillong, even daring them to leave the taxi stand to find alternative transportation.
Despite growing demands from local taxi drivers and associations for restrictions on Assam tourist vehicles entering Meghalaya, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has clarified that there will be no official restrictions imposed on Assam vehicles visiting tourist destinations in the state.