Meghalaya Taxi Association’s Black Flag Protest, To Restrict Assam Cabs from Taking Tourists to Tourist Spots

The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) on Monday launched ‘Black Flag Week’ protest, which will continue till September 14, demanding restrictions on Assam cabs from ferrying passengers to tourist spots in the state.

This comes as a fresh move of the Meghalaya taxi operators to stop Assam taxis from going to the tourist spots as they feel this hurts their business.

Earlier on Friday, AKMTTA slammed Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh for failing to act on their demand to restrict non-local vehicles, after meeting with him in July.

In response, Tourism Minister Lyngdoh advocated for unity and asked the various associations to come together under a single umbrella to bring their demands to the government, which can be discussed.

“It’s important that the various associations come under a single platform. At least 60 percent of drivers don’t belong to any association, and the rest 40% are split into large number groups. How do you engage with such a large number of factions when there’s no uniform approach?” he said.
“The law of demand and supply is in effect. There is currently a shortfall of roughly 3,000 vehicles to ferry tourists inside Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh added.

Lyngdoh urged local drivers and transporters to open discussions with their counterparts in Assam rather than creating divisions.

“It is a pure fact that Meghalaya depends more on Assam rather than Assam depending on us. The main airport, railway station, and best hospitals in the region are in Guwahati. Our professionals work across Assam. It’s a sensitive issue, and they must approach it carefully, ensuring they don’t harm their own interests in the process of demanding more,” he added.

“They have to know whom to approach and how to approach. They should ensure that in the process of wanting more, they do not shoot their own foot,” he cautioned.

Lyngdoh also stated that the government organised two stakeholders’ meet with everyone connected with the tourism sector, including transporters, hoteliers, homestay owners, drivers’ associations, and guides. He explained that the discussions were broad involving various concerns within the tourism sector, but at no point was there any demand for denial of entry to tourist taxis from Assam.

The AKMTTA had previously requested a ban on non-local vehicles going beyond Shillong and accessing tourist spots in Meghalaya.

Earlier, on July 30, the meeting between the Assam Tourist Taxi Association and the Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association at Nongpoh in Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district, concluded with both sides unanimously deciding to clear any misconception and to stop any misinformation regarding ban on tourist vehicles entering Meghalaya.

In the meeting from both the tourist taxi associations decided that both private and commercial vehicles can now freely travel to popular tourist destinations such as Shillong, Dawki, Cherrapunjee and other parts of Meghalaya.

Both associations also affirmed that they were not involved in any incidents of stopping tourist vehicles and added that some unscrupulous outside elements are trying to take advantage of the situation by spreading misinformation and rumours.

Also both associations had decided to act against illegal taxi operators.

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