Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youths Council is demanding answers from the Indian Hotels Company Limited. They want to know why the firm used the name Barapani in its November 12, 2026, press release. The release announced a new Taj Resort project in Meghalaya. The group insists the site is locally and historically known as Umiam.
HYC President Roy Kupar Synrera wants a change. He told the hotel group to fix its records, promotional materials, and future communications immediately. The council says economic growth must not erase local identity or heritage. They want the name corrected to reflect the region's actual history.
The group also wants to hear from Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd. This company is the local partner for the resort deal. They want to know if the partner endorsed the Barapani label. The HYC expects a formal explanation from both parties soon. If they do not get a response, they plan to take further action.
The council remains clear on its stance. “The local partner must also ensure that the identity and locally recognised name of Umiam are respected in all project-related documents and communications,” the HYC statement said. They support investment in the state, but they will not back down on protecting local place names.
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