Meghalaya Tourism Minister Warns of Assam Backlash Over Taxi Protest
In Shillong, Meghalaya’s Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has raised alarms about a recent protest by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTA). The group wants to block tourist taxis from outside the state, like those from neighboring Assam, from entering popular Meghalaya destinations. But Lyngdoh fears this could spark retaliation from Assam, hurting tourism in both states.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the minister stressed the need for careful thinking before any big moves. "We’ve already seen reactions from Assam associations," he said. "They warn that if we stop their vehicles from coming to our tourist spots, they’ll do the same to ours." This back-and-forth could seriously damage the tourism industry, which relies on strong economic and cultural ties between Meghalaya and Assam.
Lyngdoh urged the AKMTA to skip protests and focus on talks instead. He pointed to a government committee led by senior official Cyril Diengdoh, set up to handle transport issues and driver grievances. "We’ve told them to meet this committee—they’ve had meetings before, but I don’t get why they can’t sort it out," he added. After all, tourism drives Meghalaya’s economy, and any hit to inter-state transport would affect local livelihoods big time.
The minister made it clear that disputes between drivers from Meghalaya and Assam should get resolved through direct chats between their associations. "Protests might feel right, but they could lead to Assam hitting back hard," he cautioned. He also reaffirmed the government’s support for local drivers while keeping Meghalaya open and welcoming to tourists from everywhere.
With the travel season in full swing, Lyngdoh called on everyone involved to choose dialogue over drama. This tension highlights the growing competition among tourist taxi associations in Northeast India, where smooth inter-state travel keeps visitors flowing in. Officials are working to bring both sides together and prevent any clashes.
