GUWAHATI: Tourism stakeholders in Meghalaya have condemned the vandalism and attacks on out-of-state vehicles during Wednesday’s protest rally, warning that growing safety concerns could threaten the livelihoods of more than 30% of the state’s population dependent on the tourism sector.
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In a joint statement issued on Thursday, August 20, six major trade associations, including the Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya (TOAM) and the Federation of Shillong Hotels (FOSH), called for a formal review of the security arrangements made for the rally and urged police to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
The immediate impact is already being felt across the tourism sector, with operators reporting a wave of tour cancellations and increased anxiety among visitors. Stakeholders have expressed concern that the situation could disrupt inter-state travel and trade, particularly along the important Assam-Meghalaya corridor.
While affirming the constitutional right to peaceful demonstration, the associations urged state authorities to conduct a thorough review of the security arrangements during Wednesday’s rally. They questioned how incidents of vandalism occurred despite the event receiving official permission.
The tourism bodies called on law enforcement agencies to identify and take strict action against those responsible while ensuring that the rights of peaceful protesters are protected.
The associations also appealed for restraint among all communities to prevent retaliatory actions, particularly those that could affect movement between Assam and Meghalaya. They urged all stakeholders to resolve grievances through dialogue rather than confrontation and stressed the need to protect public spaces and maintain an environment conducive to tourism and business.
The joint coalition warned that continued unrest and concerns over visitor safety could have wider economic consequences for Meghalaya, where a significant section of the population depends directly or indirectly on tourism.