By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 21: Tour operator Alan West Kharkongor on Sunday clarified that the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) he filed in the High Court of Meghalaya was moved solely in the interest of justice and the public, without any collusion or personal motive.
Responding to criticism from some YouTubers on social media, Kharkongor said the petition was not directed against the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA). He emphasised that the first respondent in the case is the state government, which has failed to act on the long-pending demands of local tourist taxi drivers.
“It has been more than two years since the government formed a committee to examine the demands of the taxi association, but the matter is still lingering,” said Kharkongor, who is also the chairman of the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF).
Appealing for maturity, he explained that the PIL was intended to benefit local tourist taxi drivers and the wider community dependent on tourism. He added that he had no other effective legal remedy but to approach the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution to fix responsibility for lapses caused by erring officials.
Highlighting the impact of the blockade, Kharkongor argued that such disruptions directly affect Meghalaya’s tourism sector, which serves as a crucial livelihood source for thousands and also harms businesses of transporters, hoteliers, guides, and small traders. The PIL, filed on Wednesday, is scheduled to be heard on Monday, with the court expected to consider the matter on an urgent basis. Earlier, his lawyer, Phuyosa Yobin, informed that the petition had sought urgent listing, and the court had agreed to take it up on either Friday or Monday.
The petition urges the High Court to issue a writ of mandamus directing the state government to prevent any strike, bandh, or blockade that obstructs the free movement of tourist taxis in Meghalaya. It also seeks to restrain the AKMTTA, its members, and affiliates from enforcing the proposed strike or taking coercive measures against tourist taxis from outside the state.
