Guwahati, Aug. 20 -- Six tourism and hospitality bodies in Meghalaya have condemned the violence and vandalism reported on August 19, in which vehicles from outside the state, including tourist taxis and buses, as well as pedestrians and bystanders, were allegedly attacked.

The joint statement was issued by the Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya (TOAM), Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF), Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya (TGAM), Federation of Shillong Hotels (FOSH), Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF), and Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation Ltd. (MRTCFL) following a meeting on Thursday.

"We fully respect the democratic right of individuals and organisations to express their grievances. However, protests mus...