Shillong, Dec 31: Amid a demand for government guidelines for tourists especially those visiting religious sites, tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh urged the local communities and other stakeholders that manage most tourist sites to frame the guidelines instead.
“Ownership of tourism in Meghalaya is with the community… Most of the tourist sites are looked after by local communities/societies/ youth organizations. The role of the government is just to create necessary infrastructure and ensure law and order…,” said Lyngdoh on Monday.
He was reacting to the demand for standard operating procedure (SOP) to be framed by the government in the wake the public outrage over a viral video of chanting “Jai Shree Ram” inside a church at Mawlyngnong and threat of road blockade by a Hindu rights body over banning Hindu rituals inside Mawjymbuin cave at Mawsynram.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said, “It is very unfortunate that such elements are trying to disturb the peace and tranquility in our state. As minister incharge tourism, I strongly condemn such attempts through the incident (at Mawlynnong church) and also those group (in regards to Mawjymbuin cave) – to make it into a religious issue.”
Stakeholders including societies, dorbar shnongs, etc., should come up with their own SOPs that can be shared with the state government for better coordination and implementation, he said.
Meanwhile, he termed the incidents as “part of Hindu fundamentalism” and urged church bodies to impose restrictions as to who should be allowed entry to the church.
According to him, there is a process of allowing entry into churches in other countries.
“This incident (at Mawlynnong church) should be an eye opener for church organizations as this is totally under the absolute control of the particular church and has nothing to do with the government,” he said while assuring not to allow such religious fanatics to hamper peace and hurt the image of the state.
The police has already identified the accused person and law will take its own course, he assured.
Asked, the minister said that there is also need for tourisms stakeholders to come up with necessary SOPs for people visiting the different tourist spots across the state.
