Taxi service associations and travel agencies based in Guwahati — the communication hub for tourism in neighbouring Meghalaya — on Wednesday resumed their services to Shillong.
Resumption of transport services followed relaxation of curfew in Shillong for five hours from 7 a.m. in the 14 troubled localities and a two-hour reduction of night curfew across the city, now from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“The curfew in the areas under Lumdiengjri police station (14 localities) will be relaxed for seven hours from 7 a.m. on Thursday. We hope it is safe enough for the night curfew to be lifted soon,” East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P.S. Dkhar said.
“Some cab operators are still apprehensive, but quite a few began operating today. Five days of idleness is quite a loss, particularly as this is the peak tourist season to Shillong and other places such as Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram,” said Nitul Das, a member of a tourist taxi association in Guwahati.
The Federation of Shillong Hotels said the breakdown of law and order has been a setback for the tourism industry of the State. “The turn of events has plunged the industry into darkness. It has harmed the image of Shillong, which had earned the reputation of one of the best tourist destinations in the Northeast,” Arnold M. Lanong, secretary of the federation, said.
The federation said the current situation has directly affected vendors, tea and food stalls, tourist spots, taxis, tourist cabs, homestays, guest houses and hotels. “There has been no hotel and guest-house booking since June 1, and it might take some time before visitors regain confidence about coming to Shillong,” a tour operator said.
Former State Home Minister R.G. Lyngdoh said Meghalaya can ill-afford a break in tourism inflow as its economy has already been crippled by a coal mining ban four years ago.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council has decided to study land documents of the residents of Punjabi Lane.