The Meghalaya Police today clarified that there were no restrictions on tourist vehicles registered in Assam from visiting tourist spots, excluding Shillong.
The clarification comes in view of rumours spreading on social media platforms regarding the purported restrictions on Assam tourist vehicles from taking tourists to tourist spots across Meghalaya. The rumours have caused confusion to tourists planning to visit the State.
In a statement issued today, the police stated that the information circulating across social media on the matter are “completely baseless”, urging the public not to fall prey to misinformation.
The official statement states, “SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT! Fake information circulating about tourist vehicles registered outside Meghalaya being barred from visiting tourist spots (except Shillong) are COMPLETELY BASELESS! Don’t fall for such misinformation! As of now there is no such restriction being enforced.”
Welcoming tourists to visit the State, the police said, “Let’s debunk false news and enjoy the beauty of Meghalaya without unnecessary worries!”
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh is likely to hold a meeting of officials of his department and taxi operators of Meghalaya and Assam tomorrow to discuss the matter.
Recently the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) has requested the State government to ban vehicles from other states from ferrying tourists to Meghalaya’s tourist spots.
AKMTTA during its recent meeting with Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh had demanded for an order banning vehicles of other states from ferrying tourists to the tourist spots. It also proposed that vehicles from outside the State could bring tourists only up to Shillong.
According to the association, such a ban would protect the income of local taxi drivers in Meghalaya. It also said that is the right and duty of the local tourist vehicles to take the tourists to the tourist spots.
It was also learnt that AKMTTA would have another meeting with the tourism minister on July 24 to further discuss the matter.
