If you're heading to Shillong or anywhere in Meghalaya this winter, here's an important update. All non-residents visiting Meghalaya for more than 24 hours now have to register with the government before entry. The new rule has kicked into effect from Friday.
“Any person who is not a resident of Meghalaya and intends to stay more than 24 hours in the state will have to furnish [a] document to the government. This is done for their (outsiders) own interest as well as for the interest of the government and people of Meghalaya. They will be much safer," the state's deputy CM Preston Tynsong says.
What if you don't? It will be treated as a violation of the law, and could attract a fine or even a long vacation behind the bars for up to six months.
Meghalaya's deputy CM has assured that the procedure will be simple and travellers will be able to register online, though we don't know exactly what documents are needed and where one can register: online and offline. We also don't know yet if this registration is like an Inner Line Permit, which non-residents must secure before they enter certain parts of Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. This story will be updated when we have the details. But let that not stop you from flying in to visit India's very own cherry blossom festival, which takes place in Shillong this month.