State forms special investigation team on Shillong violence

Shillong, Aug 22: Meghalaya government has constituted a  Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify all the miscreants involved in the violence in Shillong, particularly those responsible for attacks on Assam-registered vehicles, and to ensure their prosecution in accordance with law.

This was among the decisions taken during the joint meeting of Assam-Meghalaya cabinet ministers and officials

Full press release below 

PRESS BRIEF on

(22/08/2026)

A joint meeting between the Government of Meghalaya and the Government of Assam was held today, 22nd August 2026, at Koinadhara State Guest House, to deliberate upon the developments following the incident in Shillong on 19th August 2026.

The meeting was led by the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. S. Dhar, and the Hon’ble Minister, Government of Assam, Shri Atul Bora, and was attended by senior officers of both State Governments.

After detailed deliberations lasting more than three hours, the meeting arrived at the following major decisions:

1. Government of Meghalaya has sincerely regretted the unfortunate incident of 19^th August, 2026 in Shillong and assured to take strong action against those who are involved.
2. Arrest of KSU leaders: The Government of Meghalaya apprised the meeting that the President, Vice-President and General Secretary of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) have been arrested by invoking the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act.
3. FIRs registered: The Government of Meghalaya informed that 15 FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the incident of 19th August 2026.
4. Identification of miscreants: Five masked persons have so far been identified as being involved in the incident of 19th August 2026, particularly in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles.
5. Constitution of Special Investigation Team: The Government of Meghalaya informed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to identify all the miscreants involved in the violence in Shillong, particularly those responsible for attacks on Assam-registered vehicles, and to ensure their prosecution in accordance with law.
6. Safe movement of Assam-registered vehicles: More than 3,770 Assam-registered vehicles have already been safely escorted out of Meghalaya into Assam so far.
7. Distress calls and evacuation: The Assam Control Room has received 54 distress calls involving 175 persons, who are being assisted in evacuation. These include 22 private vehicles and 5 tourist vehicles. The Government of Meghalaya informed that its Control Room has received 379 distress calls so far and steps taken to assist them for their safe transit.
8. Movement of stranded vehicles: Most of the stranded travellers and vehicles, including approximately 400–500 vehicles that were earlier held up in Meghalaya, have successfully crossed key transit corridors, including the Umiam Lake section.
9. Completion of evacuation within 48 hours: Any passenger or vehicle yet to be transferred to Assam will be safely escorted and transferred within the next 48 hours. A dedicated exercise will be undertaken to ensure that every tourist or vehicle wishing to return to Assam is facilitated and safely escorted.
10. Dedicated coordination by establishing HOTLINE: It was agreed to establish a dedicated coordination mechanism between the IG, Special Branch, Assam, and the IG, Law & Order, Meghalaya, along with dedicated helplines. An online support forum will also be activated to assist in locating and facilitating stranded individuals.
    • WhatsApp:+91 810 14 888
    • Landline:0361-2381-511
11. This mechanism shall remain operational until the situation is fully normalised.
12. Permanent district-level joint committees: Permanent district-level joint committees will be constituted comprising the Deputy Commissioner, Nongpoh, and the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup Metropolitan, along with police officers of the corresponding level from both districts, to ensure that day-to-day issues arising along the inter-State border are resolved promptly.
13. Joint committee on tourist transport: A joint committee comprising the Commissioner/Secretary-level Transport authorities of both States, along with representatives of the tourist vehicle associations, will be constituted to facilitate and regulate tourist transport movement and safeguard the shared tourism interests of Assam and Meghalaya.
14. Safe transit through both States: The Governments of Assam and Meghalaya will take all necessary measures to ensure safe and secure transit arrangements for vehicles travelling from the southern parts of Assam to other parts of Assam, including movement from the Barak Valley through Meghalaya. Similarly, necessary arrangements will be made for people travelling from Meghalaya to other parts of Meghalaya through Assam.
15. Responsibility for safety and security of tourists and vehicles: The Government of Meghalaya reiterated that the State Government shall take responsibility for the safety and security of all tourists and vehicles travelling from Assam and other parts of the country into Meghalaya, during their stay and movement within the State.