Shillong, Oct 24: Close on the heels of Shillong being declared as most preferred tourist destination of the country and in the wake of a proposed protest march in the city, social welfare and tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh has made it clear that the government has no issues with protests staged without violating any law.
“I have no problems with pressure groups doing what they have to do as long as they do not cross the boundaries of the law,” Lyngdoh told reporters. His statement came in the wake of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC)’s decision to hold a protest march to the main secretariat on November 8, against the government’s failure to implement its seven-point charter of demands to tackle the growing drug menace in the state.
“But… pressure groups are free to demonstrate their protests or dissatisfaction but they need not cross the frontiers of the rule of law,” Lyngdoh added. Expressing his delight over Shillong being adjudged the most preferred tourist destination in the
country, the minister said, “It is a huge honour for the state of Meghalaya for Shillong to be a preferred destination.”
Disclosing that tourist footfall may increase by 70% by 2025, he said, “Who are these people coming for…for whose interest? So, a lot of that is important… let’s not be guided by emotions and sheer hate against the system.”
Admitting the operation of drug trafficking network, he said the government has leads about hideouts of some big players in drug trafficking. “We need to nip things in the bud,” he said, adding, “There are results and we should be in a position to deal with this menace more effectively than we did ever.”
