By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 9: Major tourism stakeholders in Meghalaya have heaved a sigh of relief as the state police cracked the case concerning the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi.
Many of these stakeholders believe the national media and the families of both Raja and his wife Sonam, who had initially blamed locals for the crime, should apologise for tarnishing Meghalaya’s image and labelling the state as a “crime-prone region.”
Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum president Larsing Ming Sawyan said the news about Sonam’s surrender was a huge relief for the people of the state.
“For the past two weeks, Meghalaya and its people have been portrayed negatively by various sections of the national media, alongside irresponsible comments on social media. Her surrender today serves as a clear vindication of the belief that such crimes are not typical of the locals (of Meghalaya),” Sawyan said.
He said while Meghalaya may have had socio-political issues in the past, its people are warm, welcoming, and peace-loving.
“Meghalaya is known for its hospitality. Our people are always eager to welcome tourists and guests,” he added.
Sawyan further noted that this incident highlights the need for increased vigilance. He suggested that all stakeholders, including the government, should collaborate to ensure that adequate safety measures are in place, considering particularly the state’s challenging terrain.
He was hopeful that the national media would correct the narrative about Meghalaya and present a more accurate, positive image of the state. “We hope they will take corrective actions and explain to the country the true beauty and the positive developments in Meghalaya,” Sawyan said.
Echoing similar views, Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum president Alan West Kharkongor said the latest developments reaffirmed that Meghalaya is a safe travel destination.
“For the last 15 years, we’ve been welcoming tourists, and we will continue to do so,” Kharkongor said. “However, this incident serves as a wake-up call, and we must not take safety for granted.”
He highlighted the need for updated rules and regulations to ensure safety. “Standard operating procedures should be revised to address new types of crimes, like the one we witnessed,” Kharkongor suggested. “We must screen visitors carefully, especially those staying in homestays, resorts, and guest houses, to ensure the safety of both the local community and the tourists.”
He criticised elements for the unfounded accusations against the peaceful residents of Sohra. “Now that the truth has been revealed, the national media should apologise for defaming our state. The family members involved should also tender a public apology,” he stated.
Tour Operators’ Association of Meghalaya (TOAM) president Banlum Blah expressed concern over the impact of the incident on the state’s tourism industry. He said it took years of hard work to build Meghalaya’s reputation as a major tourist destination.
“We’ve seen an increase in tourist footfall, but the false allegations made in connection with the incident involving the Indore couple have negatively impacted the state’s tourism industry,” Blah said.
In this regard, he underscored the significant investments made by the Meghalaya government and individual stakeholders to develop tourism in the state.
“The people of Meghalaya deserve compensation for the harm caused by these false accusations, and it will take time to restore the state’s image due to the negative perceptions spread by the media and the families involved,” the TOAM president said.
He expressed optimism that the arrest of the individuals involved in the murder would help rebuild the state’s reputation as a safe destination for tourists.
“The majority of citizens in Meghalaya believe there should be an apology from those who tarnished the state’s image,” Blah added.
