Editor,
The recent tragic incident involving the disappearance of a couple from Madhya Pradesh in Sohra has deeply saddened us all. It has been widely reported in both local and national media, and it is truly unfortunate that such a heartbreaking event has occurred especially as this is the first of its kind involving tourists in our beautiful state. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the couple during this unimaginably difficult time. I extend my deepest condolences to the family members of (L) Raja Raghuvanshi. May his soul rest in peace.
Despite this tragedy, it is important to remember that Meghalaya remains a land known for its breathtaking beauty and warm hospitality. One isolated incident should not overshadow the kindness and generosity that define our people. Tragedies, while devastating, can occur anywhere in the world but it is unfair and unjust to generalise or label an entire community based on a single incident.
Recently, I came across a Facebook post discussing this incident, where I saw comments questioning the hospitality of the people of Meghalaya. While I understand the pain and anger that may lead to such statements, I urge everyone to look at the bigger picture. Thousands of tourists, both domestic and international who visit Meghalaya, speak highly of the friendly, welcoming, and helpful locals they encounter. As a resort and campsite owner, we’ve hosted solo travellers, including women, who have always felt safe and welcomed here.
There are countless testimonials from visitors who have found Meghalaya to be one of the safest and most peaceful tourist destinations in the country. This tragic case, while alarming, should not erase those positive experiences or the truth about who we are as a people.
Let us all refrain from making conclusions until the investigation is complete and the facts are known. Meghalaya continues to be a haven for travelers, and we remain committed to welcoming tourists with open hearts and open arms.
Let this be a moment of unity and compassion not one of division or blame.
Yours etc,
Lemuel Gordon Lymba
Via email
The Sohra episode
Editor,
In the recent scary and horrifying incident, a newly married couple from Indore, Madhya Pradesh who had travelled to Sohra, Meghalaya for their honeymoon and went sight-seeing before they both went missing is also mysterious. Since their disappearance on May 22, rescue operations were conducted using drones etc., and tragically the dead body of the husband – Raja Raghuvanshi was found from a deep gorge after more than a week. The police have registered a homicide case in the matter suspecting murder. The wife -Sonam Raghuvanshi is yet to be found and the search for her is ongoing.
It is indeed a tragic story when an innocent soul loses his/her life. This case has drawn nationwide attention and has put the spotlight on the beautiful town of Sohra. The picturesque town is now being maligned with false narratives and fake news, with the news article from “Times of India” referring to the area as “crime prone hills,” which has outraged the people of Sohra and the state alike. Such statements by one of the biggest news media in the country is not only promoting tension but it’s also allowing fake news to be propagated. It is baffling to see such a big organization make such statements without an iota of proof.
Sohra is a destination that attracts tourists from all over the world, and while such incidents rightly scare people, they are few and far between. The news has affected how people look at Meghalaya with many people calling the state unsafe and claiming that the attackers are people from the locality, whereas no such news has been confirmed by the investigating authority. Meghalaya as a state is not only beautiful but it’s a safe state as well, such an incident should not be generalized and should not mean that the state is unsafe for people and tourists.
It is also disturbing to see some YouTube Channels that have come up with their own theories and already framed the missing wife as the culprit. Such news channels harm the society as not only are they meddling with an ongoing investigation but they are spreading fake news and maligning the woman. YouTube and the respective Government must take strict action against people and organisations who are printing and delivering news only for sensation. News channels and print media have a great duty of informing people the truth after due fact checking. They are the fourth pillar of Democracy and must therefore proceed carefully before they publish any news as one wrong information can lead have devastating effects.
The matter is still under investigation and therefore speaking out on the matter without any proof should be discouraged by the state government. The government must ensure that the culprits are caught as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the tourists as well as to ensure that the tourism industry of Sohra and Meghalaya as a whole is not adversely affected.
Yours etc.,
Reakor Shisha Kharkrang,
Laitmynsaw,
Upper Shillong
Medical negligence cannot be tolerated!
Editor,
I write this letter with a heavy heart, as a citizen deeply disturbed by the recent tragic incident at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Hospital in Jowai, where a young mother, and her unborn child lost their lives—lives that could have been saved. This is not just another case of medical mishap; this is a glaring case of gross negligence and carelessness by those entrusted with the sacred duty to heal and protect.
Sadly, this is not the first time MCH Jowai has come under scrutiny. In just two years of its existence, there have been two reported incidents where surgical cloth was left inside mothers’ bodies after childbirth operations. These are not small oversights—they are life-threatening errors that point to a deeply flawed system of medical practice within the hospital.
What is equally alarming is the indifferent and often rude attitude of doctors and nurses in many of our government hospitals. Patients—especially in rural and low-income areas—are made to feel like burdens. Medical professionals, instead of serving with empathy, often act as though they are doing a favour by simply showing up. This culture of arrogance must end.
Moreover, the excuse of being “understaffed” rings hollow when the same doctors have the time to run private clinics both in the morning and evening, while reporting late to government duty and leaving early. This is a blatant misuse of government time and a betrayal of public trust.
The district administration has now formed a committee to investigate the recent death at MCH Jowai. Shockingly, this committee comprises three doctors from the same department as the one allegedly responsible. How can we expect an impartial inquiry when those investigating are colleagues of the person in question? This is not justice. This is protectionism. The government must reconstitute the committee with independent medical professionals and legal experts, so that the truth can come out and those responsible are held accountable.
We must ask: how many more mothers must die before we take this seriously?
It is high time the Government of Meghalaya takes strict disciplinary and legal action against negligent medical staff—not just to punish, but to set a precedent that such behaviour will not be tolerated in our healthcare system. Doctors and nurses must remember that their profession is not a privilege, it is a responsibility.
Yours etc.,
R. Passah
Jowai