Shillong, Sep 18: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) came out in support of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) in its efforts to protect the livelihood of local tourist taxi drivers and strongly condemned what it called “uncalled for and disproportionate” actions by drivers in Assam.
“It is nothing short of barbarism,” VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said today. “While the party strongly backs the cause of the taxi operators in the state whose demand to the state government is rational and legitimate, the action of the Assam counterparts is highly condemnable. The prevention taken against the Meghalaya-registered vehicles from plying to Assam is nothing but an act of intimidation and bullying. It is a matter of great concern that even the vehicle of the people’s representative (Rakkam Sangma MLA) has not been spared. The action of the Assam-based associations simply showed how desperate they are [to exploit] the tourist industry of Khasi-Jaintia Hills without any thought of having even justified sharing of economic benefits with their Khasi-Jaintia Hills counterparts.”
He then went on to blame the Meghalaya government for not doing enough to address the grievances of the AKMTTA. However, while copious in terms of rhetoric, the VPP did not offer any suggestions of its own.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) also weighed in, coming down on the side of the AKMTTA “in their struggle for fair treatment and equal opportunities.”
On the other hand, Titosstarwell Chyne, the MDC of Sohra, an area heavily dependent on tourism, expressed concern over the AKMTTA’s unilateral actions.
Chyne said that the strike that started on September 16 has affected Sohra, which usually welcomes thousands of tourists on a daily basis.
“A lot of individuals, groups and companies have started their own hotels and homestays by availing loans from the banks and the Tourism Department and if there is disturbance every time it will not affect only this time but in the future too,” he said, fearing that tourists will skip visiting Meghalaya if they are insecure.
He also said that he received information that many tourists have cancelled their bookings after hearing about the strike.
This was backed up in a separate release from the Heritage Committee of the Khun Kur Longtrai Lai Kynthei, land owners of Raid Shabong.
It said that there have been “widespread” cancellations by tourists at homestays, resorts and other sites.
“We express our deep concern regarding the ongoing strike (since suspended) by the AKMTTA across the state and more specifically, the reported ban on tourist vehicles from Assam entering key destinations in Meghalaya,” the committee said. “While we acknowledge the right of the taxi associations to voice their grievances and understand their concerns regarding operational challenges, we are compelled to highlight the serious and immediate consequences this situation is having on the tourism sector, which is intrinsically linked to the cultural and economic livelihood of countless local communities.”
The cancellations have had knock-on effects for local artisans, guides, transporters and traditional performers, who also benefit from the tourism trade. The AKMTTA agitation has also led to “disruption to ongoing cultural documentation efforts supported by domestic and international heritage researchers” and poses a long-term risk to Meghalaya’s image as a “peaceful and tourist-friendly destination.”
