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3w ago

Meghalaya to Meet US Ambassador Over Disputed Travel Advisory

Official labeling of the US Department of State’s Level 2 advisory as misleading raises concerns that it could dent a tourism sector employing more than 50,000 residents.

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said he would be meeting the US Ambassador to India in this regard.
File Photo: IANS

Overview

  • The US Department of State updated its travel advisory on June 16 to Level 2 for Meghalaya, citing rising violent crime and requiring US government employees to seek permission before visiting areas outside Shillong.
  • Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma have described the advisory as misleading and based on outdated information, asserting Meghalaya’s strong safety record.
  • Chief Minister Sangma plans to meet the US Ambassador to India to present facts and figures challenging the advisory and will engage India’s Home and External Affairs Ministries on the issue.
  • The state is recruiting 50 ‘Tourist Buddies’ in Shillong, hosting a calendar of events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival, and investing over Rs 1,000 crore in tourism infrastructure.
  • Regional groups including the North East Students’ Organisation and the All Assam Students’ Union have called the advisory baseless and warned it could harm local livelihoods.