Shillong: Football fans pushed through a tense regional standoff to reach Shillong for Thursday’s Durand Cup semi-final. Mohun Bagan played NorthEast United FC while a transit blockade gripped the Assam-Meghalaya border. Supporters endured harassment and travel delays to fill the stadium seats.
Saurav Sarkar traveled from Kolkata to watch his team play. He faced aggressive confrontations at a checkpoint in Khanapara despite his clear intentions. "What is my fault? I came to see my team play in the semi-final. See, I am wearing the jersey of Mohun Bagan. Still, I was stopped at Khanapara and my friend was also abused," Sarkar told The Shillong Times. He eventually made it to the venue after a difficult ordeal.
Drivers from Assam halted all services between Guwahati and Shillong. The All Assam Drivers Association demands compensation for vehicles damaged in Wednesday’s violence. Abdul Qadir, representing the drivers, warned of an intensified blockade if Meghalaya officials refuse to negotiate. No government representatives have addressed these demands yet.
Lajjad Jyrwa, secretary of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association, claimed the dispute originated on the Assam side. He offered no further statement as tensions simmer. Thousands of tourists and local operators remain stuck in the middle of this standoff. The sports event provided a brief distraction from the regional conflict. Fans from various states watched the match together, ignoring the ongoing border unrest.
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