Meghalaya is safe: Tourists back state's reputation after Raja Raghuvanshi's murder

The serene beauty of Meghalaya’s Weisawdong Waterfalls in Sohra was marred by a grim discovery on June 9, when police recovered the semi-decomposed body of Raja Raghuvanshi in a gorge near the falls, alongside a bloodstained machete.

The incident has raised concerns about safety in one of India’s most cherished tourist destinations. However, tourists visiting the state have come forward to defend Meghalaya’s reputation as a safe and welcoming haven.

The incident, though shocking, has not dampened the spirits of travelers, many of whom continue to explore the state and interact positively with the local community.

“There are only two types of people in this world — good people and bad people,” one tourist said. “The good will do good everywhere and the bad will spread evil even in this beautiful valley. Meghalaya is very safe — we trekked all the way down to the falls and felt energised.”

The tourist emphasised that despite the tragedy, there is no general sense of danger in the area. Instead, the focus remains on the state’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people. “Even with the language barrier, the locals are incredibly friendly. We are communicating in broken English and Hindi, and everyone has been very helpful,” the traveler added.

Another tourist, Dr. Dilip from Bettiah in Bihar, visited Meghalaya with his wife and two children. He dismissed growing public fears about safety. “People have this illusion that Meghalaya is dangerous. But I came here with my family, and we had a great experience. People were cooperative everywhere we went. There is no need to fear,” he said.

The tourists also added that the incident has left the locals distressed. Many feel that the crime does not reflect the nature of their community and fear that outside perceptions may unfairly tarnish the state's image.

“The locals are upset,” one tourist observed. “They’re not used to this kind of thing. This crime was not from within.”

In recognition of the swift and courageous efforts by the authorities and local volunteers, Meghalaya’s Tourism Minister Bah Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday felicitated the multi-agency rescue and investigation team involved in the case.

Speaking to India Today, Minister Lyngdoh reaffirmed Meghalaya’s commitment to safety and justice and said, “Meghalaya has always been a peaceful state, and we've seen record tourist footfall over the years. In fact, in 2005, Skyscanner identified Meghalaya as the most preferred destination for Indian travelers. With that reputation, we are committed to upholding our standards.”

“We welcome tourists with open arms, but let me be clear, any breach of the law will be dealt with firmly. Those who cross the line and engage in criminal activities will be held accountable,” he added.

Tourism stakeholders hope that this isolated crime will not overshadow Meghalaya’s long standing reputation as the “Scotland of the East”, or as one tourist put it, “We shouldn’t call it the Scotland of the East anymore. We should call Scotland the Meghalaya of the West.”

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