Shillong, Sept 18: The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) has called off the indefinite protest against outside vehicles entering Meghalaya’s tourist spots.
The decision was arrived at after a meeting with the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner on Thursday
The deputy commissioner informed the association that the government will meet with the association on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
“The association has decided to suspend its indefinite strike until Tuesday, pending the outcome of the meeting,” AKMTTA spokesperson Balajied Jyrwa told journalists after the meeting.
Home (police), transport, and tourism departments will hold a meeting with the members of the association.
“We will again take a call based on the outcome of the proposed meeting,” Jyrwa said.
The deputy commissioner invited the association for talks after Meghalaya vehicles were not allowed to enter Assam in retaliation against the AKMTTA’s indefinite strike and demand to ban the entry of vehicles from outside to the various tourist spots in the state.
According to Jyrwa, AKMTTA’s protest has been non-violent and has not affected law and order.
“The protest has only involved the distribution of pamphlets to sensitize people about the issues faced by the tourist taxis,” he said.
He said the incident in Assam, where Meghalaya vehicles were banned from entering Assam, was due to misinformation.
“AKMTTA has not banned the entry of Assam vehicles into Meghalaya, but has only demanded that vehicles from outside the state should be restricted from operating in Meghalaya’s tourist spots,” he added.
“We have never restricted vehicles carrying passengers or patients. Till today, Assam vehicles are not stopped from operating in Meghalaya. Therefore, there is a strong attempt to create misunderstanding with our counterparts in Assam. We want to make it very clear that this protest is not against Assam, but it is against the state government. The district administration will take up the issue with its counterparts, as this is a state versus state issue and not related to the association,” Jyrwa claimed.
“The association hopes to address its demands in the upcoming meeting. A PIL has also been filed in this regard, and we hope that the court will look into the issues faced by the tourist taxis”, he said.
He clarified that AKMTTA is a registered organisation and the association’s members include vehicle owners.
Photo caption: Protest in Khanapara against Meghalaya vehicles entering the state
