Meghalaya and Assam Taxi Union Standoff Resolved, Says Tourism Minister

Shillong, August 25: Meghalaya’s Tourism Minister, Timothy D. Shira, announced on Tuesday that the standoff between tourist taxi organizations from Meghalaya and Assam has been resolved following discussions at the chief ministerial level. This resolution comes after violence led to road blockades on August 19.

Shira emphasized that there should be no restrictions on the movement of tourist vehicles between the two neighboring states. He noted that the dispute had negatively impacted the number of tourists visiting Meghalaya.

Referring to the dialogue between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Shira stated, “The issue has been resolved, so there should be no more restrictions or blockades.”

He explained that the road blockades had nearly halted tourist movement, adversely affecting the tourism sector and businesses reliant on visitors from outside the state. “No tourists were coming, and how could they, with the roads closed? Cooperation and mutual understanding from both sides are essential to resolve such disputes,” he added.

Shira urged the Assam Tourist Association to allow registered tourist vehicles from Meghalaya to enter Assam, and similarly, the Meghalaya association should permit Assam’s tourist vehicles to operate in their state.

Additionally, he mentioned that the Meghalaya government has decided to compensate owners of tourist vehicles from Assam that were damaged during the recent incidents. However, he denied compensation for tourism businesses that suffered losses due to booking cancellations caused by the disruptions.

When asked about the losses faced by hotel owners and homestay operators due to fewer tourists, Shira stated, “No compensation will be provided for homestays.”

This recent development is expected to bring relief to the tourism industries of both states, which heavily rely on the movement of tourists and tourist vehicles across their borders.

Shira also appealed for restraint from all parties involved, warning that actions taken in one state could have repercussions in the other.