Guwahati, Aug 25: Amid speculation over a proposed meeting between transport operators from Assam and Meghalaya on August 26, the Assam State Drivers’ Association (ASDA) said it has received only a verbal communication so far and is awaiting a formal written communication. ASDA president Dhrubaraj Axom told The Assam Tribune that the association was informed over the phone about a proposed meeting with the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association on August 26.

However, no formal written communication has been received yet. “We have received a verbal communication through phone for proposal of a meeting with All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association from Meghalaya,” Axom said, on Tuesday.

He added that the association had sought a written communication before proceeding with any formal engagement. “We had asked for a written assurance and so far, we have not received any.

A formal meeting cannot be carried out without written communication. The next step depends on it,” he said.

The development comes after tourist taxis from Assam resumed entering Meghalaya on August 24 after Meghalaya-based tourist taxi associations agreed to withdraw their blockade at Umiam, restoring movement between the two states. The transport row followed violence during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally in Shillong on August 19, during which several Assam-registered vehicles were allegedly attacked.

In response, Assam-based drivers’ organisations launched protests and blocked key entry points to Meghalaya, disrupting passenger and commercial transport between the neighbouring states. While movement has largely resumed, the underlying dispute remains unresolved.

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had earlier announced that a joint meeting involving transport authorities and representatives of taxi associations from Assam and Meghalaya would be convened by September 10. Following the announcement, Meghalaya’s tourist taxi associations suspended their agitation only until September 10 after receiving assurances from the state government that their concerns would be addressed.

For now, ASDA leaders said any direct engagement with their Meghalaya counterparts would depend on receiving a formal written request, along with the proposed agenda for the talks.