Shillong, Sept 7: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has expressed concern that the recent decision of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTA) to protest against the entry of tourist taxis from outside Meghalaya’s tourist spots may lead to retaliation measures from Assam.
According to him, there is need for careful consideration and dialogue to resolve the issue.
Stating the potential consequences of AKMTA’s decision, Lyngdoh told reporters on Saturday that Assam associations have reacted by threatening 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,” he said.
The Minister urged AKMTA to engage in dialogue with the committee headed by Cyril Diengdoh to resolve the issue. “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,” he said.
“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 stated further.
 to protest against the entry of tourist taxis from outside Meghalaya’s tourist spots may lead to retaliation measures from Assam.){kind=link}