Post Raja Raghuvanshi murder, Meghalaya mandates guest registration for all stays

State Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh confirmed that 60% of accommodation units are already using a tourism app for guest registration and the rest must now comply. (File image)

The Meghalaya government has ordered all homestays, resorts and even private landlords to compulsorily register visitors following the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi in Sohra. The move aims to tighten security and monitor tourist activity more closely.

State Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh confirmed that 60% of accommodation units are already using a tourism app for guest registration and the rest must now comply. "If somebody does not register and there is a breach of law, the onus falls on the owner of the accommodation unit," he was quoted by The Shillong Times as saying.

Meghalaya Police have arrested five people in connection with Raghuvanshi’s killing, including his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, her alleged boyfriend Raj Kushwaha and three others - Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi.

In response to the murder, the Meghalaya government has introduced several stricter measures to enhance tourist safety. The state has banned renting private vehicles to tourists for self-driving, aiming to curb unregulated travel, News On Air reported.

Authorities are also reportedly revisiting the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act to strengthen its provisions for crime control. Additionally, the Sohra Tourist Association has been asked to identify high-risk areas where CCTV cameras will be installed for better surveillance. These steps come as part of a broader push to tighten security and restore confidence among visitors, The Shillong Times reported.

Lyngdoh admitted that tourism numbers have dipped recently due to floods, traffic jams and the murder case. However, he expects a rebound with upcoming events like the Cherry Blossom Festival and the swift police resolution of Raghuvanshi’s case.

The minister confirmed that the government will not pursue legal action against Raghuvanshi’s family after they withdrew critical statements about Meghalaya Police and the state administration. "They have met with our demand and withdrawn their statements, so I don’t think the case stands any longer," he was quoted by The Shillong Times.

The tourism app, which shares guest data with police, is now a mandatory tool for all stays, including paying guest accommodations. Lyngdoh said people can visit as tourists, but if they indulge in crime, the police will act.