SHILLONG, July 29: The tourism industry in Meghalaya has taken a hit following the recent instances of the members of the Hynniewtrep Youth National Front acting as vigilantes and disturbing tourists.
Many people are now hesitant about visiting the state dependent to a large extent on tourists.
The Tourism Operators Association of Meghalaya on Monday submitted a petition to Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh regarding the recent checking of tourists by the HNYF members at Umtyngar, a strategic location connecting Dawki, Mawlynnong and Sohra.
The president of the association, Banlum Blah told media persons that the cancellation of hotel accommodations was reported on the first day of the incident and people are hesitant about coming to Meghalaya.
“We are telling them situation is fine now and we hope normalcy will come at the earliest,” he said.
The association’s general secretary, Gerald Duia, said many tourists come to Meghalaya in July from Assam, but many cancellations have occurred following the incidents.
He said they are being forced to divert tourists to other locations, which has hampered their operations.
Since a Sikkim-like strategy cannot be an option for the state, the association feels that the tour operators’ association and All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association can find a solution together.
He also pointed to people from Assam commenting on social media and advising people not to visit Meghalaya.
July is a month of summer vacation in Assam and the scorching heat there makes Shillong a popular destination. The roads of the state are usually full of Assam-registered vehicles during this time but many from Assam have skipped Meghalaya over the past few days.
KSU asks M’laya, Assam govts to end impasse
The KSU on Monday asked the Meghalaya and Assam governments along with the tourist taxi associations of the two neighbouring states to take the lead, find the best solution and end the current impasse.
“Any solution which is arrived upon should protect the livelihood of tourist taxis owners and drivers of the two states,” KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah said.
Suggesting a designated place for Assam tourist vehicles to drop passengers in Meghalaya, Thabah said that the tourist taxis from Meghalaya will then to take over and ferry the tourists to various destinations.
He made it clear that such a proposal should be endorsed by both the state governments and the tourist taxi associations on both sides and said the KSU was ready to act as a mediator.
“We fully acknowledge the resentment of the local taxi associations from Meghalaya. But we must ensure that tourists and officials should not be harassed,” he said.
He disclosed that after the incident at Umtyngar on Friday, the tourist taxi association from Assam planned to stop all vehicles from Meghalaya from entering Assam and also approached the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU).
“After learning of this, we held a five-hour marathon discussion with the AASU leaders. We also argued that the tourist taxi drivers from Meghalaya are being harassed in Assam and they are not getting to ferry passengers from Assam,” the KSU general secretary said.
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