Shillong: Major tourism stakeholders in Meghalaya have condemned the violence and vandalism during Wednesday’s rally, warning that the incidents could seriously damage the state’s tourism reputation and have far-reaching consequences for the sector in the coming months.
In a joint statement, the Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya (TOAM), Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF), Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya (TGAM), Federation of Shillong Hotels (FOSH), Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) and Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation Ltd (MRTCFL) expressed “deep concern” over the attacks on vehicles from outside the state, including tourist taxis, buses, other vehicles, pedestrians and bystanders.
The tourism bodies said they respected the democratic right of individuals and organisations to express their grievances but stressed that protests must remain peaceful and should not be exploited by “anti-social elements” to create fear, violence or damage to public property.
“Meghalaya has worked hard to establish itself as a safe, welcoming and responsible tourism destination,” they said, adding that Wednesday’s incidents had the potential to seriously damage that reputation.
The groups said they were already witnessing cancellations and concerns among visitors, along with retaliatory developments from Assam, affecting tourism stakeholders as well as ordinary citizens dependent on inter-state travel.
They also called for a serious review of the security arrangements during Wednesday’s rally. Since permission had been granted for the event by the government, the groups said adequate police and district administration arrangements were expected to be in place to maintain law and order.
“The visible acts of vandalism raise legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of these arrangements,” the statement said.
The tourism bodies said tourism supports the livelihoods of more than 30% of Meghalaya’s population, directly and indirectly, with a significant proportion of these livelihoods based in rural areas.
From homestay operators and local guides to drivers, artisans, restaurants and small businesses, thousands of families depend on a peaceful and stable tourism environment, they said.
The groups urged the government and law-enforcement agencies to identify those responsible for the violence and vandalism and take appropriate action in accordance with the law while protecting the rights of peaceful protesters.
At the same time, they appealed to organisations, communities and citizens to exercise restraint and avoid retaliation.
“Differences with the Government can and should be addressed through dialogue, democratic engagement and peaceful means,” they said, citing recent examples of peaceful youth-led movements in the country as evidence that dialogue and constructive engagement can achieve meaningful outcomes.
“We must not allow one day’s violence to undo years of work in building Meghalaya’s tourism reputation,” the statement said.
The tourism stakeholders appealed for cooperation to repair the damage to the industry and urged all stakeholders to choose “peace over confrontation, dialogue over division, and responsibility over retaliation”.
Also Read: From heat to dengue: Arunachal is warming, is its health system ready?