ILP demand reiterated to prevent outsider-related crimes in Meghalaya
Shillong, June 9: With the fast changing plot of murder of Indore-based Raja Raghuvanshi, and his “missing” wife Sonam turning out to be an accused from a victim overnight, NGOs of Meghalaya have raised their voice seeking an unconditional apology from national media and their families for vilifying the state government, police and also people of the state.
The NGOs also took the opportunity to further raise their long-standing demand for implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) system in the state.
“(We) demand public apology from the national media channels for their unverified and half-truths reporting of the incident, and from the deceased’s brother Vipul Raghuvanshi for publicly accusing Meghalaya’s institutions of apathy and conspiracy…,” the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) said in a statement.
Referring to the unfortunate death of Raja Raghuvanshi and disappearance — and now reappearance — of Sonam Raghuvanshi, the HYC said, “We demand a formal and unconditional apology from Vipul Raghuvanshi and Devi Singh, father of Sonam Raghuvanshi, who repeatedly undermined and publicly defamed the dignity of our institutions and cast aspersions on us all, the citizens of the state and more particularly our community.”
The HYC lamented that the people of the community and citizens of the state were “attacked, maligned, accused, defamed, and humiliated in the past few weeks.
“Our people cooperated with the administration by providing important information and helping in the search operation in their own individual capacity. Yet, our culture was questioned and our brethren were labelled suspicious. This is nothing but an expose of the deep-rooted prejudice that mainland India holds against the tribal Northeast,” the HYC said.
Meanwhile, Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) reiterated its demand for immediate implementation of ILP in Meghalaya.
Indicating that had ILP been in place, this kind of crime could not have taken place in Meghalaya, CoMSO said, “Had ILP been operational, the movement of outsiders would have been documented, regulated, and recorded.”
“ILP ensures that such episodes are addressed with lawful clarity, not chaotic speculation. It provides a legal line of defence against cultural defamation and exploitation of hospitality,” it said.
Alleging “loopholes in the state guest registration and tourist monitoring systems, CoMSO said, “These are gaps that allow our communities to be disrespected, misunderstood, and made scapegoats in times of crisis.”
The CoMSO also urged chief minister Conrad K Sangma, to take strong legal action under appropriate criminal and civil laws against those who defamed the state, spread communal disharmony, and obstructed lawful investigation.
“The state must not allow this defamation to go unchallenged. A precedent must be set to ensure that no individual, however influential, can make Meghalaya the target of coordinated media hostility without accountability,” it said.
The CoMSO also urged the Government of India to issue an official clarification in Parliament or through the Ministry of Home Affairs affirming the integrity of Meghalaya’s police, the success of its investigation, and the role of the local people and NDRF in solving the case.
It further extended an invitation to all the citizens of India not only to visit Meghalaya with respect, but to understand that this state is not a spectacle or stereotype.
“We are a constitutional people, a democratic society, and a community governed by law, ethics, and tradition,” CoMSO said.
“Our identity is not yours to question when things go wrong. Our hospitality is not a license for humiliation. And our peace-loving nature should not be mistaken for weakness,” it stated.
CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem, meanwhile, alleged that Sonam’s family made calculated efforts to politicise a personal tragedy, exploit the press, and generate anti-Meghalaya sentiments nationwide.
“Now that the narratives have collapsed under the weight of facts, they must publicly apologise to the Government of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya Police, the local community of Sohra, and to every citizen whose name was so casually dragged through the mud,” he said.
Synrem also lauded the Meghalaya Police for cracking the honeymoon murder case, stating that they worked with unwavering discipline and compassion.
He said the investigation proved that the incident was a “personal crime” and not a communal failing, and that Sohra is not a bad destination for a honeymoon.
(With PTI inputs)
