By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In the wake of Sunday’s drowning tragedy at Sweet Falls involving a first-year student of IIM, Shillong, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF), a banner organization of tour operators, has asked all tour operators to accord top priority to the safety and wellbeing of tourists and to put into practice a set of Do’s and Don’ts for all tourists visiting the State to prevent any such incident from recurring in future.
MTDF chairman RG Lyngdoh, while talking to The Shillong Times on Monday, said that the Government must come out with the Tourism Policy which will go a long way in tackling such kind of incidents.
Lyngdoh also stated that the Government should make efforts to put up advisories or precautionary sign boards at tourist spots for the safety of the visitors.
“We will engage with the Government on this matter,” he added.
Lyngdoh stressed on the need for capacity building and stated that the State should take care of the Tourism sector in a professional way.
He was also of the opinion that the community should engage itself in the Tourism sector.
When contacted, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, M Kharkrang, said that the State Police is not issuing any advisory to the tourists.
It may be reminded that in 2011, 25-year-old Christina Reed, a tourist from the United Kingdom, was swept away by the strong currents of the Umkynsan River at Sohra.
In October last year, three Class XI students of BSF Higher Secondary School were drowned in the waters of the Spread Eagles Falls.
In another case last year, two persons had drowned at Wahlyngkien, Kshaid Demthring near Sai-mi-ka Park, Sohra.