Meghalaya: MRSSA to Get More Teeth After Raja Raghuvanshi Case, Tourist Registration to Be Made Mandatory

The government aims to plug loopholes in the existing system and ensure better monitoring of tourist movement across the state.

In the wake of the horrific Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, the Meghalaya Cabinet has decided to revisit and strengthen the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA). The government aims to plug loopholes in the existing system and ensure better monitoring of tourist movement across the state.

Cabinet Minister and MDA Spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said the incident in Sohra was a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need to tighten surveillance and screening mechanisms for visitors.

“Act already has several safeguards, but we are going to upscale it and improve enforcement. A formal proposal will be brought soon,” Lyngdoh stated.

He also addressed the demand for the Inner Line Permit (ILP), saying that the state Assembly has passed a resolution, and the matter is now under consideration by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Centre, he said, has raised concerns over Meghalaya’s geographical location as a transit route to other northeastern states like Mizoram, Tripura, and Silchar in Assam.

“Meghalaya is not an endpoint, it connects to other parts of the Northeast. The MHA has several queries, but we are working to address each of them,” he said.

To improve tracking of tourist movement, the state government has developed a tourism monitoring app, which is currently in use by around 50 percent of hotels, resorts, and homestays. The government will now make it mandatory for all tourist accommodations and enforce compulsory registration for all visitors.

“We are mandating the use of the app across the board. Tourist registration will be compulsory to ensure proper monitoring and safety,” said Lyngdoh.

The Tourism Minister also said that despite the recent concerns, tourist footfall in Sohra continues to rise steadily. He expressed optimism that the state would welcome 20 lakh tourists by the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival, marking a strong recovery in the tourism sector.

In another significant initiative, the government has started a recruitment drive for the Tourist Buddy Scheme, aimed at enhancing visitor experience. The scheme will recruit 100 local youth fluent in Khasi, Garo, English, and Hindi, who will be trained and deployed within the next two months.

“We are giving our youth an opportunity to be part of the tourism ecosystem. These tourist buddies will play a key role in guiding and assisting visitors,” Lyngdoh added.

Also Read: “No ILP, No Rest”: HYC Storms Meghalaya Secretariat, Demands Immediate Implementation

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