Members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF), an influential youth organisation in Meghalaya, on Friday stopped Assam–registered tourist taxis at Umtyngngar, about 25 km from Shillong, from proceeding to Sohra and Dawki, two popular tourist destinations in the neighbouring state.

The disruption lasted for about an hour on Friday morning, affecting around 50 taxis from Assam which had to return, a taxi driver said. However, prompt action by the East Khasi district police saw the blockade lifted and restoration of normalcy, he said.

A police official said ten members have been arrested and produced in court by evening. “Everything is normal now. Tourists have nothing to fear,” he told The Telegraph.

HYNF members said allowing tourist taxis from Assam was affecting local taxi operators and wanted that tourist taxis from outside should be asked to terminate a certain fixed points from where local taxis can take over citing the example of Sikkim where tourist vehicles from Bengal are not allowed to proceed from certain points.