GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged tourism stakeholders in Assam to promote the state’s tourism potential and develop the major tourist locations, after the recent violence and vandalisation on Assam vehicles in Shillong.
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Speaking to reporters in New Delhi late Wednesday evening, August 26, the chief minister said that there is a section of people in Meghalaya who don’t like arrival of tourists from Assam.
“Intellectuals like Patricia Mukhim often write against tourists from Assam. In many ways, they also incite people. Then of course, there is another section of people (in Meghalaya) who love Assamese people. There is a contradiction in the society,” the chief minister said.
He added that Shillong was once the capital of Assam, and which is why possibly Assamese people like to go there and spend time.
“Gradually, I think we should develop our own tourist places such as Diphu, Haflong, Umrangso. These places in Assam are very beautiful,” he said.
During the press conference, the chief minister said the proposed airports at Umrangso and Majuli will be constructed in his current term, providing a boost to the state’s tourism sector.
“With the new airport, I think Umrangso will be able to give competition to Shillong as far as tourism is concerned,” he said.