SHILLONG, July 21: A year after the brutal ‘Honeymoon Murder’ case exposed the dark underbelly of Shillong’s unregulated rental market, the state government’s promised crackdown has hit a dead end, leaving local associations to conduct their own “vigilante” stings on the streets of Keating Road.
On Tuesday, the enforcement gap was laid bare when members of the All Vehicles Rental Association of Meghalaya (AVRAM) took it upon themselves to “apprehend” an unlicensed operator. The individual, caught at Keating Road, reportedly admitted to renting five scooters to tourists without the mandatory license or verification records required under state regulations. While police eventually intervened to initiate legal proceedings, the incident highlights a growing trend of private citizens performing the policing duties the District Transport Office (DTO) has failed to sustain.
The safety of the rental sector became a flashpoint last year following the murder of a man by his wife, Sonam, after the couple rented a two-wheeler from Keating Road to travel to Sohra. The ease with which the vehicle was obtained without proper documentation prompted the government to announce a mandatory licensing and verification system.
However, twelve months later, the “cowboy” culture persists. AVRAM officials claim that despite the new norms, the government has been “sleeping at the wheel,” allowing unlicensed businesses to operate openly and even list their services on Google Maps to lure unsuspecting tourists.
“The government must tighten its noose on illegal operators,” an AVRAM leader said. “Several unauthorised services continue to function without fear. We are urging the authorities to identify and remove these illegal Google Maps listings.”
While AVRAM maintains its campaign is about protecting Meghalaya’s reputation and tourist safety, the association’s active role in “apprehending” competitors raises concerns regarding the breakdown of official enforcement. By allowing associations to lead these crackdowns, the state risks a shift toward street-level vigilantism in one of its most vital economic sectors.
The association has advised tourists to hire vehicles only from government-authorised agencies that follow mandatory verification procedures. Nevertheless, the presence of illegal operators on Keating Road suggests that until the DTO and police move beyond reactive measures, the “Wild West” environment of Shillong’s rental market will continue to pose a risk to both public safety and the state’s tourism image.
