Raphael Warjri

At a meeting held on 13 June, 2025, the Meghalaya Cabinet has decided to strengthen the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) in light of recent incidents in Sohra, aiming to prevent criminal elements from entering the state disguised as tourists.

Cabinet Minister and MDA spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said that while the state has passed a resolution on implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the proposal is still under review by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which has raised several queries, particularly concerning Meghalaya’s connectivity with other Northeastern states.

Though MRSSA already includes safeguards, Lyngdoh said the government plans to enhance its implementation and will soon submit a formal proposal.

The state is also set to mandate the use of a tourism monitoring app—currently used by around 50% of accommodations—to ensure full compliance and compulsory tourist registration.

Tourist arrivals in Sohra are steadily rising, with the state targeting 20 lakh visitors by the Cherry Blossom Festival. Recruitment is also underway for 100 “Tourist Buddies,” fluent in local and national languages, to assist visitors across Meghalaya.