Tourism stakeholders should come up with SOPs for people visiting different tourist spots: Paul

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 30, 2024

Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Monday asserted the need for stakeholders to come up with their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) for people visiting the different tourist spots across the state. 

His statement came in the wake of a recent incident where a tourist chanted “Jai Shree Ram” inside a church at Mawlynnong village in East Khasi Hills – one of the cleanest village in Asia – and the recent threat of a Hindu right-wing organization Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP) against the banning of Hindu rituals in Mawjymbuin cave in Mawsynram. 

Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said, “It is very unfortunate that such elements are trying to disturb the peace and tranquility in our state. As minister incharge tourism, I strongly condemn such attempts through the incident (at Mawlynnong church) and also those group (in regards to Mawjymbuin cave) – to make it into a religious issue.”

“But this (the incidents) is part of Hindu fundamentalism, which we have to strongly oppose,” he added. 

Lyngdoh also emphasized the need for the church organizations to have some restrictions in place as to who should be allowed to enter the church. 

According to him, in other countries, there is a process to allow people to visit and enter the churches. 

“This incident (at Mawlynnong church) should be an eye opener for church organizations as this is totally under the absolute control of the particular church and has nothing to do with the government,” he said while assuring that “We (as a government) stand firm not to allow religious fanatics to take advantage of situation with the aim to tarnish the image of the state through such irresponsible actions.”

He said that the Director General of Police (DGP) had already informed that the accused person has already been identified and the law will take its own course.

Asked, the minister said that there is also need for tourisms stakeholders to come up with necessary SOPs for people visiting the different tourist spots across the state.

“We need to understand that tourism in Meghalaya, ownership is with the community, government only facilitate development. Most of the tourist sites are being looked after by local communities/societies/ youth organizations. The role of the government is just to create necessary infrastructures and to ensure law and order is maintained at all times,” he stated.

“Therefore, the question of entry to these places is something which the stakeholders that include the societies, dorbar shnongs – should come up with their own SOPs. These same SOPs can be shared with the state government for better coordination and implementation,” Lyngdoh added further.