Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Operators Continue to Oppose Entry of Assam Cabs into State, to Give 7-Day Deadline to Govt

Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Operators Continue to Oppose Entry of Assam Cabs into State, to Give 7-Day Deadline to Govt

The Meghalaya tourist taxi associations are continuing their opposition to allowing Assam registered cabs carrying people to tourist spots in the state. The All Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AMTTA), in a public meeting held on Wednesday, resolved to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, urging the state government once again to restrict tourist vehicles from Assam and other states from ferrying people to Meghalaya’s tourist spots.

The association has decided to give the government a one-week deadline to address their demand. Failing which, the Association plans to organize a peace rally, and a hunger strike as a last resort if the government remains unresponsive.

The meeting, held at Malki Football Ground, aimed to rally support from various tourist taxi drivers and associations to push the long-pending demand for prohibiting out-of-state taxis from ferrying tourists to Meghalaya’s tourist destinations. Association President Ricaldinus Dohling emphasized the urgency, stating that their grievances have been neglected for too long.

As part of their protest, the association initiated a “Black Flag Week” last week, expressing their frustration with the government’s inaction. They also criticized Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh for his statement that only 3,000 tourist vehicles operate in the state, claiming that there are significantly more.

Amor Kurbah, President of the Iaitylli Tourist Drivers and Owners Association, called for the government to implement a policy that would secure the livelihoods of local taxi owners and drivers. He noted that around 37 associations and over 1000 drivers and owners participated in the meeting to discuss the impact of Assam cabs on their income and future.

General Secretary Balajied Jyrwa urged the government to improve infrastructure, such as upgrading the Mendipathar Railway Station and developing the Shillong Airport, to boost local tourism and benefit the state’s tourist taxi drivers.

Also read: Cong Not a Force, Gambegre By-poll Will be a Contest Between NPP and TMC: Meghalaya Minister Rakkam A. Sangma

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