Editor,
The tragic disappearance of Sonam Raghuvanshi and the brutal murder of her husband Raja during their honeymoon in Meghalaya has tragically exposed the glaring inadequacies of the state’s law enforcement machinery. The response of the Meghalaya Police has been appallingly slow, inconsistent, and marked by a worrying level of negligence. From the very beginning, the authorities failed to treat the couple’s disappearance with the urgency it deserved. The delay in launching a serious search operation — even after desperate pleas from the victim’s family — speaks volumes about the systemic apathy.
More disturbingly, this is not an isolated instance. There is a growing perception, reinforced by cases like this, that the Meghalaya Police does not pursue justice with the same seriousness when the victims are non-tribals. This glaring bias not only undermines public faith in the rule of law but also raises uncomfortable questions about the safety of tourists and the basic rights of non-tribal individuals in the state. When a grieving father is forced to rely on astrological remedies in the face of administrative indifference, it is a damning indictment of the state’s law enforcement failure.
The Raghuvanshi family’s demand for a CBI investigation is both legitimate and urgent. Justice cannot be left to a system that has already shown its unwillingness—or inability—to act decisively. Until accountability is ensured and a transparent investigation is undertaken by a neutral agency, Meghalaya cannot claim to be a safe or welcoming destination for visitors of any background. Social media has become the only mirror reflecting the grim realities hidden behind Meghalaya’s deceptively picturesque landscapes, exposing the darker truths that the state authorities conveniently ignore or suppress.
Yours etc.
A concerned citizen
