SHILLONG: Tourism stakeholders across Meghalaya have strongly condemned the recent incidents of violence and vandalism that occurred during a rally on August 19, warning that the unrest could severely impact the state’s reputation as a safe travel destination.
In a joint press statement issued on Thursday, leading tourism bodies — including the Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya (TOAM), Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF), Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya (TGAM), Federation of Shillong Hotels (FOSH), Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF), and Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation Ltd. (MRTCFL) — expressed “deep concern” over the attacks on vehicles, including tourist taxis and buses, as well as pedestrians and bystanders.
While acknowledging the democratic right to protest, the stakeholders emphasised that such expressions must remain peaceful and not be exploited by anti-social elements to incite violence or damage public property.
The statement noted that Meghalaya has invested significant effort in positioning itself as a welcoming and responsible tourism destination. However, the recent incidents threaten to undermine this progress, with reports already emerging of cancellations and growing concerns among visitors. The situation has also reportedly triggered retaliatory developments in neighbouring Assam, further affecting inter-state travel and tourism activities.
Raising questions over law enforcement preparedness, the stakeholders called for a thorough review of the security arrangements during the rally. They pointed out that since official permission had been granted for the procession, adequate measures should have been in place to maintain law and order.
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Highlighting the sector’s economic significance, the organisations stated that tourism supports the livelihoods of over 30 percent of Meghalaya’s population, directly and indirectly. A large share of these livelihoods is rooted in rural areas, involving homestays, local guides, transport operators, artisans, and small businesses.
The stakeholders urged the government and law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible for the violence and take appropriate legal action, while ensuring that the rights of peaceful protesters are protected.
They also appealed to organisations, communities, and citizens to exercise restraint and avoid retaliation, stressing that differences should be addressed through dialogue and democratic engagement.
Concluding the statement, the groups cautioned against allowing a single day of unrest to undo years of work in building Meghalaya’s tourism image, and called for collective efforts to restore confidence in the sector.
The statement was jointly issued by TOAM, MRTF, TGAM, FOSH, MTDF, and MRTCFL.
