Correspondent
Shillong: Amid growing national outrage over the murder of Indore tourist Raja Raghuvanshi, Meghalaya Tourism Minister and MDA Government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh has firmly stated that the government will not shield any criminal, whether local or outsider, involved in the crime. The shocking death of Raja Raghuvanshi, who went missing along with his wife Sonam during their honeymoon in Sohra, has sparked calls for a CBI probe from the victim’s family.
“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,” Lyngdoh asserted.
“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,” he added, underlining the state’s zero-tolerance approach.
Describing the incident as “very sad and strange,” Lyngdoh pointed to Cherrapunji’s reputation as a safe destination. “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.”
Reaffirming the area’s history of safety, he said, “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,” indicating strong local support for tourism.
Lyngdoh urged the public to await the SIT’s findings. “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 said.
Highlighting the cultural temperament of the region, Lyngdoh remarked, “In general, you would have noticed that you don’t see any drunken brawls, unruly behaviours by the local people here in Meghalaya.”
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