Guwahati: Tourism–a sector that supports livelihood of 30 per cent of hilly Meghalaya’s population–seems to bear the immediate brunt of the violence in Shillong on Wednesday with tourists fast cancelling bookings. Seve…

Guwahati: Tourism–a sector that supports livelihood of 30 per cent of hilly Meghalaya’s population–seems to bear the immediate brunt of the violence in Shillong on Wednesday with tourists fast cancelling bookings. Several tourist vehicles remained stranded in Shillong, Cherapunjee and some other tourist spots as tour operators and taxi drivers blocked movement of vehicles at Jorabat in Guwahati, the entry point towards Meghalaya, for the second day on Friday. Shillong violence: Meghalaya, Assam CMs agree to work together to restore peaceThe blockade was enforced hours after several vehicles bearing Assam registration were pelted stones by masked men during a protest bike rally by the influential Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Wednesday. The KSU took out the protest as part of their agitation seeking introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, documentation of outside visitors, beside others. Outsider needs travel permit under ILP. KSU insists that ILP is required to check possible “illegal migration,” mainly from Assam. Meghalaya police acted swiftly and arrested theee top KSU leaders and prohibited further protest. The KSU quickly distanced itself from the violence claiming that miscreants tried to defame the students’ body and disrupt the movement. But the Assam operators resorted to protest demanding compensation for the damage caused by the miscreants and an apology from the state government. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma held talks over telephone and resolved to quickly diffuse tension but the protesters did not relent. Impact on tourism: As the protest and blockade continued in Guwahati, visitors fast cancelled bookings of hotels, resorts and homestays fearing violence during their tour to the hill state. “Such incident hits tourism fast,” Vikesh Jangir, who runs Disang Vacations Tour Travels, told DH. One of his vehicles was damaged in the attack in Shillong.Tour operators in Assam alleged that such attack and misbehaviour to outsiders is common in Shillong and elsewhere in Meghalaya and strict action must be initiated to save Meghalaya’s image as a tourist friendly state. “Meghalaya has worked hard to establish itself as a safe, welcoming and responsible tourism destination. But the unfortunate incident have the potential to seriously damage this reputation and have far-reaching consequences for the tourism sector in the coming months,” said a joint statement issued by Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya, Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum, Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya, Federation of Shillong Hotels, Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum and Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation Ltd.”We are already witnessing cancellations and concerns among visitors, including retaliatory developments from Assam, affecting tourism stakeholders as well as ordinary citizens dependent on inter-state travel.” The organisations urged all for restraints and take steps for difussing tension. Shillong violence: Meghalaya, Assam CMs agree to work together to restore peaceDurga Puja season: Tourism supports the livelihoods of more than 30 per cent of Meghalaya’s population, directly and indirectly, with a significant proportion of these livelihoods based in rural areas. From homestays and local guides to drivers, artisans, restaurants and small businesses, thousands of families depend on a peaceful and stable tourism environment, they said. “We must not allow one day’s violence to undo years of work in building Meghalaya’s tourism reputation.”The tension is likely to impact tourism during the Durga Puja holiday in October, when large number of tourists, mainly from West Bengal, visits scenic Meghalaya via Assam.

Source: Deccan Herald