SHILLONG, AUG 25: Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira on Tuesday said the impasse between tourist taxi associations of Assam and Meghalaya that led to road blockades after the August 19 violence has been resolved and there should be no further ban on movement of tourist vehicles.
The Minister said tourist inflow had come to a halt due to the blockade.
“There were no tourists coming in and how will they be able to come as the roads were blocked,” he said.
Stating that Chief Minister-level intervention broke the deadlock, Shira said, “There was discussion between the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and Assam and the issue was resolved, so there should not be any more ban or blockade now.”
He stressed on reciprocity, saying, “The tourist association from Assam also should allow vehicles from Meghalaya to go to Assam and Meghalaya people also should allow vehicles from Assam to come.”
On damages to Assam tourist vehicles, Shira said the state government has decided to compensate.
“They have already had discussion and whatever damages caused to Assam vehicles, it will be compensated by the Government of Meghalaya. Then what more need they have, there should not be any more issues with that,” he said.
Asked about losses suffered by hoteliers and homestay operators due to cancellations, the Minister made it clear there will be no financial assistance.“There will be no compensation for the homestay,” he said.
Urging caution, Shira said, “My appeal is that we should understand, any action we are taking here will have a reaction or not in Assam. We should be very conscious and very careful to do anything because whatever you do there will be a reaction.”
