Guwahati, Aug 22: After a three-hour meeting amid tensions between Assam and Meghalaya, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Saturday assured that strong action would be taken against those involved in the August 19 incident. “The Government of Meghalaya sincerely regrets the unfortunate incident of August 19, and I assure that strong action would be taken against those involved.

A SIT has been constituted to identify all the miscreants involved in the case, particularly those responsible for attacking Assam-registered vehicles, and to ensure prosecution in accordance with law,” Dhar said at a press conference following the meeting. “I attended the important meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister and senior officials of Meghalaya, along with senior officials of Assam.

We had a threadbare three-hour discussion and took several resolutions with the consent of the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya,” Bora said. Dhar informed that the president, vice-president and general secretary of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) had been arrested under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act in connection with the incident.

“Five masked persons have so far been identified as being involved in the incident of August 19, particularly in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles,” Dhar said. “He will examine the matter.

We will provide compensation as per law," Dhar said. More than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles have so far been safely escorted from Meghalaya into Assam.

The Assam control room has received 54 distress calls involving 175 people who were assisted with evacuation. This included two private vehicles and five tourist vehicles.

The Meghalaya government, meanwhile, informed that its control room had received 379 distress calls and that steps had been taken to facilitate the safe transit of those stranded. “Any passengers in vehicles yet to be transferred to Assam will be safely escorted within the next 48 hours,” Dhar said.

Dedicated coordination mechanismAn integrated coordination mechanism would be established between the IG, Special Branch, Assam, and the IG, Law and Order, Meghalaya. An online support forum will also be activated to assist in locating and facilitating stranded individuals.

The helpline numbers provided are +91 81014888 and 0361-2381511. These mechanisms will remain operational until the restrictions are fully normalised.