Demand for restriction on outside cabs in tourist spots
Shillong, Sep 6: Tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh has reiterated his caution about a possible backlash in neighbouring Assam if the tourist taxi operators in Meghalaya go on preventing entry of cabs from outside the state in tourist spots.
Referring to the declaration of All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTA) to protest against entry of outside tourist taxis, the minister said Assam associations have already threatened to impose similar restrictions on Meghalaya’s tourist taxis.
“We have seen the reaction from the part of the Assam associations, where they have maintained that if their vehicles are prohibited from entering tourist spots in Meghalaya, they will also do the same,” Lyngdoh told reporters on Saturday.
Urging the AKMTA to place the issue before the government-constituted committee in this regard, he said, “We have suggested that they meet the committee… They have been meeting from time to time, but I fail to understand how they cannot resolve the issue.”
“Ideally, disputes between Meghalaya and Assam drivers should be resolved through discussions between the respective associations. Instead, if they want to protest, we clearly understand it may lead to retaliatory measures from Assam,” Lyngdoh added.
