Shillong/New Delhi: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), a prominent civil society group based in Shillong, has demanded a public apology from the family of Sonam Raghuvanshi, the woman arrested for the alleged murder of her husband during their honeymoon in Sohra (Cherrapunji).
The group has accused her family of defaming the people of Meghalaya and damaging the state’s reputation as a safe and welcoming tourist destination.
CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem, addressing the media on Monday, alleged that Sonam’s family deliberately attempted to politicise a personal tragedy and generate negative sentiment against Meghalaya across the country.
He claimed the family used the media to spread misleading narratives that unfairly portrayed the state and its people in poor light.
Synrem reiterated CoMSO’s longstanding demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya, arguing that the regulatory mechanism could help manage visitor inflow and enhance security.
“The ILP would have helped pre-empt the confusion, chaos, and defamation that the state has recently endured,” he said.
The call comes after five arrests, including that of Sonam herself, in connection with the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was recovered from a gorge in East Khasi Hills on June 2.
The couple had been reported missing since May 23.
Sonam was later located in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where she surrendered to police as authorities closed in on the accused.
Synrem praised the Meghalaya Police for their “disciplined and compassionate” investigation, which, he said, confirmed that the crime was personal and not motivated by any communal or regional hostility.
“The people of Sohra have always welcomed tourists. They did not attack anyone. In fact, locals assisted police teams, provided information, and opened their homes and churches to help with the search,” he stated.
He accused Sonam’s family of spreading baseless allegations against the Meghalaya government and police, undermining the integrity of local communities.
“Their statements went beyond grief and bordered on deliberate misinformation. Now that the truth is emerging, they must apologise — not just to the government and police, but to every citizen of Meghalaya who was unfairly maligned,” Synrem said.
Meanwhile, Sonam’s father, Devi Singh Raghuvanshi, has continued to maintain her innocence, calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
He alleged that the Meghalaya Police were presenting “false narratives” to protect the state’s image, and claimed that no evidence linked his daughter to the alleged murder plot.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma also addressed the issue on Monday, expressing concern over the “negative perception” the incident has cast on the state.
“Meghalaya is a peace-loving state. Our people treat tourists with warmth and respect. This isolated incident should not be seen as a reflection of our hospitality,” he said.
Sangma revealed that he had been in direct contact with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who had urged swift action in the case.
ALSO READ: Honeymoon horror: Wife, lover allegedly plotted Raja Raghuvanshi’s death
He also spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the early phase of the investigation.
“The police have uncovered evidence pointing toward a premeditated act by individuals from outside the state. Meghalaya remains safe for visitors, and the government is committed to strengthening security and improving the experience of all tourists,” Sangma added.
The high-profile case has not only sparked a political and emotional response but also revived the long-standing demand for stricter regulatory measures such as the ILP in Meghalaya — underscoring the tensions between maintaining openness to tourism and addressing concerns around public safety.
