Shillong , September 18: The All-Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) has decided to call off its indefinite strike against the entry of vehicles from outside the state to Meghalaya’s tourist spots.
The decision was made after a meeting with the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, who assured the association that the state government will hold a meeting on Tuesday to address the issues raised by the tourist taxis.
“The association has decided to suspend its indefinite strike until Tuesday, pending the outcome of the meeting,” AKMTTA spokesperson Balajied Jyrwa told reporters after the meeting held here today.
He said the upcoming meeting will be held between the state government’s Home (police), Transport and Tourism departments and the members of the association.
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“We will again take a call based on the outcome of the proposed meeting,” Jyrwa added.
The decision to invite the association for talks was also after Meghalaya’s vehicles were not allowed to enter Assam in protest against the AKMTTA’s indefinite strike and demand to ban entry of vehicles from outside to the various tourist spots in the state.
Jyrwa claimed that the association’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.
The association spokesperson clarified that 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 said.
“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 association,” Jyrwa added.
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He further added, “The association hopes to arrive at a solution to 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.”
(Newmai News Network)
