Meghalaya CM Livid Over US Travel Advisory for State, Says Will Meet US Ambassador, MEA and MHA Officials for “Incorrect Notification”

Meghalaya CM stated that he would personally take up the matter with the US Ambassador and coordinate through the MEAN and MHA.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has strongly objected to the recent travel advisory issued by the United States government, which requires US government employees to obtain prior approval before traveling to Meghalaya and other parts of Northeast India.

Expressing concern over the advisory, Sangma stated that he would personally take up the matter with the US Ambassador and coordinate through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to correct what he termed an “absolutely incorrect” notification.

Addressing the media, Sangma said, “It’s a matter of concern. I will be meeting the US Ambassador and informing them that the advisory is completely incorrect. I will also urge the US Embassy to revise the notification. I hope that with support and coordination from the MEA and MHA, the error will be rectified.”

He further added that Meghalaya has always maintained a safe environment for tourists and residents alike, and such advisories could unfairly affect the state’s image and its tourism-driven economy.

Earlier yesterday, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong also termed the advisory “unfortunate and unwarranted.” He reaffirmed that Meghalaya remains one of the safest tourist destinations in the country and beyond.

“It is very unfortunate that such an advisory has been issued by the United States of America,” Tynsong said.

It needs to be mentioned that, the United States government on May 16 issued a Level 2 travel advisory for India, urging its citizens to exercise increased caution with a particular focus on northeastern states.

While Manipur was explicitly marked as a region to avoid due to violence and ethnic conflict, the advisory also stated that U.S. government employees must obtain prior approval to travel to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and any area outside the capital cities of Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura.

The advisory further noted that ethnic insurgent groups occasionally carry out bombings of infrastructure such as buses, rail lines, and markets in parts of the Northeast, although it acknowledged that there have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura.

Also Read: Meghalaya is the Safest Place… : Dy CM Prestone Tynsong After US Advisory Says Take Pre-Approval to Visit State

Also watch:

COMMENTS