ShILLONG : The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee has accused the NPP-BJP-led government of failing to prevent the escalation of tensions following the August 19 violence in Shillong, saying the fallout has now reached tourism, interstate transport and the movement of essential supplies.
The opposition party said the government had access to intelligence inputs and the administrative machinery needed to assess the situation, but failed to respond with adequate preparedness.
MPCC president Vincent H Pala alleged that the administration did not act despite signs of growing tension, leaving businesses and residents to deal with the consequences.
Tourism has emerged as one of the sectors facing immediate losses. The Congress said uncertainty among travellers was affecting hotels, homestays, taxi operators, restaurants, shops and other businesses dependent on visitor movement.
Recent reports have put hotel and homestay cancellations at around 90%, although the figure remains a reported industry estimate rather than an official government statistic.
The MPCC also linked the tourism impact to the disruption of the Guwahati-Shillong corridor, where the Assam-Meghalaya transport standoff had left passengers and vehicles stranded around the interstate border.
The party raised another concern over the movement of medicines and essential commodities, saying continued disruption could create difficulties for hospitals, patients, students, workers and traders dependent on regular interstate movement.
The Congress said the prolonged uncertainty was also damaging Meghalaya’s image as a safe tourism destination and warned of wider consequences for what it described as the state’s “Brand Meghalaya”. It called for sustained engagement between Assam and Meghalaya, arguing that sensitive interstate issues require continuous political and administrative dialogue rather than allowing tensions to escalate.
The MPCC condemned violence from all sides and demanded immediate steps to restore public confidence, protect travellers and reopen normal interstate movement.
The criticism comes as both governments have begun taking steps to ease the situation. Assam and Meghalaya agreed on Saturday to clear remaining stranded passengers and vehicles within 48 hours and establish permanent coordination mechanisms to deal with border and transport issues.
The Assam-side blockade was subsequently withdrawn following minister-level discussions and assurances regarding the safety of vehicles and passengers.
The Congress, however, maintained that restoring confidence and ensuring uninterrupted movement between the two states must remain the government’s immediate responsibility.
