Shillong, June 8: Meghalaya government has declared that it will not shield any criminal involved in the recent murder of Indore tourist Raja Raghuvanshi, who went missing with his wife Sonam during their honeymoon in Sohra. This assurance came from Paul Lyngdoh, cabinet minister in-charge of tourism and spokesperson for the MDA government, on Saturday.
Raghuvanshi’s body was recently discovered, deepening the tragedy of the couple’s disappearance. When questioned about the family’s demand for a CBI probe into the case, Lyngdoh stated, “Let us go step by step. After the police investigation, we have also additionally set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Meghalaya Police is known for its track record of competence, and at this stage, I don’t see the relevance of a CBI probe.”
However, he emphasized the government’s commitment to justice, adding, “Should this investigation fail, then we take the next logical step. We will not defend; we will not protect any criminal element, whether from within or from outside the state.”
Lyngdoh described the incident as “very sad and strange,” noting that Sohra (Cherrapunji), a popular tourist destination, has an unblemished record of safety for visitors spanning decades. “It is shocking, and while we condole this death of Raja, I’d like to also point out here that tourists have always been welcomed in Meghalaya, especially in Cherrapunji, which is the epicentre of our tourism industry,” he said.
The minister also asserted that no tourist has ever been assaulted in the region, and despite the recent tragedy, tourists continue to flock to Cherrapunji. “Right after this incident, we thought people would start fleeing Cherrapunji, but the opposite is happening. You would have noticed thousands of tourists… I don’t see any point there,” he argued, implying that locals understand the economic importance of tourism.
Lyngdoh urged patience while the SIT investigation concludes. “I will not jump the gun; I will only say let the SIT investigation be completed, and I am confident. We have a very capable DGP who has had several years of experience in Delhi. We have an IPS officer leading the East Khasi Hills district police; they are all competent officers,” he affirmed.
He further reiterated the peaceful nature of the local populace, stating, “In general, you would have noticed that you don’t see any drunken brawls, unruly behaviours by the local people here in Meghalaya.”
Also Read: Indore murder case: Of different versions, theories and possible clue ?
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