Latest news with #InnerLinePermit
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Raja Raghuvanshi murder: Meghalaya makes tourist registration mandatory at all homestays
Following the sensational murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, the Meghalaya government has directed all homestays, resorts and families to mandatorily record details of tourists that stay there. A senior official of the Meghalaya Tourism Department said that the state government has directed all the homestays, resorts and even landlords to compulsorily register all their visitors and take their necessary details."The government would ensure that all homestays and accommodation units now obligatorily register tourists, visitors and guests through the tourism app.' The Meghalaya government on June 13 decided to strengthen existing laws to ensure the safety of state residents and curb the entry of criminal elements posing as tourists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stunning 2-Bed Senior Houses: Take A Peek Inside! Senior Houses | Search Ads Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh had said that the council of ministers in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on June 13 decided to review the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, an existing state legislation, to add tougher provisions to the Act to minimise the possibility of criminal elements entering Meghalaya as tourists. The government's move comes weeks after the ghastly murder of Raja Raghuvanshi (28), who was brutally killed during his honeymoon while on a trip to Sohra-Cherrapunji areas of the East Khasi Hills district, in a plot allegedly orchestrated by his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi (24) and her alleged lover Raj Singh Kushwaha (21). Live Events Pressure groups in Meghalaya had intensified demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to keep tabs of people entering the state. Members of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) had staged a protest outside the Main Secretariat recently seeking implementation of ILP recently. CoMSO leader Donboklang Kharlyngdoh had said that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution in 2019 urging the Centre to implement the ILP, yet no response has been received even after nearly six years. The organisations stated, 'If ILP were in place, individuals with dubious intentions would think twice before entering Meghalaya. They would have to register their name, address, duration of stay, and departure plans. The main accused, Sonam, had entered the state with her husband and exited the state alone'.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meghalaya: Demand for Inner Line Permit intensifies after honeymoon horror case
Guwahati: With the sensational murder case of an Indore businessman taking place in Meghalaya, pressure groups in Meghalaya have intensified demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to keep tabs of people entering the state. Meghalaya police is likely to send all five accused in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case to the crime spot at Sohra-Cherrapunjee areas of the East Khasi Hills district next week for reconstruction of the crime. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, said that police officials are now interrogating the five accused to unearth the truth of the sensational killing. Members of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) staged a protest outside the Main Secretariat on Friday seeking implementation of ILP. CoMSO leader Donboklang Kharlyngdoh said that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution in 2019 urging the Centre to implement the ILP, yet no response has been received even after nearly six years. The organisations stated, 'If ILP were in place, individuals with dubious intentions would think twice before entering Meghalaya. They would have to register their name, address, duration of stay, and departure plans. The main accused, Sonam , had entered the state with her husband and exited the state alone'. Meghalaya cabinet has decided to revisit the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) in light of the recent unfortunate incident in Sohra. The aim is to further strengthen the Act to better prevent criminal activities carried out under the guise of tourism. This decision reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents; while continuing to welcome genuine tourists to our state, this was informed by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. The State Cabinet on Friday took stock of the situation and resolved to revisit the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, to tighten safety mechanisms and close existing gaps.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Meghalaya to strengthen resident safety law in wake of Sohra honeymoon murder
Shillong, In the wake of the sensational honeymoon murder in Sohra, the Meghalaya government on Friday decided to strengthen an existing legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of state residents and curbing the entry of criminal elements posing as tourists. The move comes weeks after the gruesome murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was killed during a honeymoon trip to Sohra, in a plot orchestrated by his wife and her lover. "The cabinet today decided to revisit the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act , 2016, an existing state legislation, to add more teeth to this Act to minimise the possibility of criminal elements entering Meghalaya in the guise of tourists," Cabinet spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said after the cabinet meeting here. "The government will soon come up with a formal proposal to further strengthen the MRSSA," he said. The 2016 Act was originally introduced to enhance the security of Meghalaya residents through the vetting of tenants and tourists. It allows for identity verification through a tourism-specific app and has provisions similar to those under the Inner Line Permit system, which the state has long been seeking from the Centre. According to Lyngdoh, the Assembly had adopted a resolution demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit in Meghalaya. "The matter is pending before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. There were several queries from the Ministry which the state government had addressed," he said, adding that the Union Ministry had expressed concern since Meghalaya is a transit state to other parts of the North East. The Cabinet minister also informed that the MRSSA is already a very effective legislation, which will need a little bit of "upscale" as of now. The urgency to revisit the Act was triggered by the case involving Sonam, the wife of murdered businessman Raja. She had allegedly conspired to kill her husband along with her lover and his friends, and entered Meghalaya under the guise of a tourist. According to Lyngdoh, the Cabinet placed on record its gratitude to the entire police department for cracking this case in record time and arresting all the accused, saving the state from a "bad name".
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
Residents condemn bizman killing, rally for Meghalaya's image
Guwahati: A day after the Indore tourist Raja Raghuvanshi murder case was solved by the Meghalaya Police, silent demonstrations were held in Shillong and Sohra, with residents emphasising that while the incident was tragic, it should not define the northeastern state. Members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), alongside civilians, organised a silent protest at Police Bazar in Shillong on Tuesday, condemning the killing of Raja Raghuvanshi. Holding placards and maintaining silence, protesters expressed their opposition to the violent act, which has drawn nationwide attention and sparked discussions about tourist safety in Meghalaya. HYC president Roykupar Synrem said Meghalaya is known for its peace and welcoming nature, remarking, "This incident is tragic, but it should not define our state." He emphasised the need for the swift implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to enhance visitor monitoring and regulation. The demonstration reflected widespread concern among residents and community organisations about the potential harm to Meghalaya's reputation. While demanding justice, protesters insisted that this isolated incident should not overshadow the state's safety record, cultural heritage, and values. Meanwhile, in Sohra, residents organised a peaceful march on Tuesday to highlight their longstanding tradition of hospitality and security. Demonstrators carried placards with messages such as "Stop blaming the people of Sohra without any evidence", "Tourists are always a part of our extended family", "Every tourist is welcome to Sohra", "Don't fall prey to fake narratives", and "Come and enjoy the beauty of Sohra". On Sunday night, police arrested four suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, while Sonam, who went untraced since May 23.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meghalaya hits back: After solving honeymoon murder, state demands apology for online vilification and tourism smear
With police in Meghalaya resolving the murder mystery of a Honeymoon couple, several organisations and pressure in Meghalaya are demanding apology from social media users and organisations who vilified the state in the wake of murder and tried to harm the tourism industry of the state. Various organisations in Meghalaya, including the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), staged a silent demonstration at Police Bazar on Monday to denounce the recent murder of a tourist from Indore Raja Raghuvanshi. On Tuesday a rally was organised by some organisations denouncing the remarks made by the several people against the state in its people. HYC President Roykupar Synrem said that Meghalaya has always been a peaceful and hospitable place for visitors. 'This incident is unfortunate and should not define our state. There have been several instances in the recent past where individuals from outside committed crimes and fled Meghalaya." Synrem further urged the government to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state at the earliest. He stressed that doing so would act as a deterrent to criminal elements and enhance the safety and monitoring of outsiders entering Meghalaya. The Meghalaya government has filed FIRs against some media outlets, some YouTubers and family members of the accused and the victim for running a campaign against the state soon after reports of disappearance of the honeymoon couple emerged. Tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh on Monday said that the murder case is the fallout of a love triangle where Sonam Raghuvanshi and her lover hired contract killers to kill her husband, Raja. 'As far as the attack on the image of Meghalaya, the media trial and slugfest that was orchestrated by some news channel, the state government through police has registered FIRs and we will also move legally on the matter to ensure all perpetrators who attacked the image of Meghalaya are brought to book." A'chik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) has also issued a statement condemning the 'pernicious' and 'prejudiced' narratives propagated against the state and its indigenous people in the wake of a crime involving the disappearance of a tourist couple from Indore in Meghalaya. While calling upon the state government to take 'decisive action' to safeguard the state's dignity and honour and initiate legal action against the brother of the deceased, AYWO urged the government to address the 'broader' defamatory campaign by engaging with national media to ensure accountability and demand retraction of their misleading reports. Sonam Raghuvanshi, the woman who is suspected to be involved in the murder of her husband, surrendered to police. Sonam was located and taken into custody from Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh. She surrendered at the Nandganj police station late Sunday night. Meghalaya police claimed that it has successfully solved the mysterious case. Sonam, who had reportedly gone missing after her husband's body was discovered in a gorge beneath the Weisawdong Falls parking lot in East Khasi Hills on June 2. The police have so far arrested four individuals, including Sonam. Three others were apprehended from different states; one in Uttar Pradesh, and two in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. Sonam is accused of orchestrating her husband's killing by hiring contract killers. Sonam's family has strongly refuted the murder allegations. Her father, Devi Singh, maintains that his daughter is innocent and has called for an independent inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Indore Parliamentarian Shankar Lalwani recently came and met with senior police officials, including Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang to take stock of the details into the matter. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav personally reached out to his Meghalaya counterpart, Conrad Sangma, to discuss the case, following which Lalwani made his visit. Raja, a transport businessman, and Sonam had travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20. They were last seen in Shillong's Sohrarim area on May 23. Their abandoned scooter was discovered near Osara Hills the same day.
