Sohra, June 10, 2025: In a heartfelt demonstration of unity and hospitality, locals in Sohra (Cherrapunjee) today organized a Peace Rally in memory of Late Raja Raghuvanshi, the tourist who was recently found murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. The rally aimed to counter negative narratives surrounding the state and reaffirmed the region’s longstanding tradition of warmth toward visitors.
Participants marched through Sohra carrying placards with messages like "Come and Enjoy the Beauty of Sohra", "People of Sohra are with the Tourists, Not the Criminals", and "Misleading Media Reports Can Damage Communities". Many urged national media outlets to verify facts before reporting, emphasizing the harm caused by misinformation to the image of the local population.
A candlelight vigil in memory of Raja Raghuvanshi is scheduled to take place at 6:30 PM at Saitsophen Community Field, Lower Sohra.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Police on June 10 announced the launch of ‘Operation Honeymoon’, the codename for the murder investigation. The name refers to the timing of the crime, which took place during the couple’s honeymoon, and the central suspect — Sonam Raghuvanshi, the victim’s wife.
Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, who married on May 11, had arrived in Shillong on May 21 for their honeymoon. By May 23, both had gone missing, sparking a wide search. On June 2, Raja’s body was recovered from a gorge near Weisawdong Falls in East Khasi Hills. Investigations confirmed that Raja was murdered on May 23 by three accomplices.
Police recovered a murder weapon (Dao) and broken mobile phone fragments. CCTV footage captured Sonam with the accused after the crime. A stained raincoat, allegedly belonging to Sonam, was also recovered from Mawkma. Four suspects were arrested on June 8 from different locations in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, including Indore and Lalitpur.
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On June 9, Sonam surrendered at Ghazipur Police Station in Uttar Pradesh. She is expected to reach Shillong by midnight and will be produced before a local court on June 11.
The Sohra community’s peaceful protest stands as a powerful reminder that the actions of a few should not overshadow the spirit of an entire region known for its beauty, culture, and hospitality.
