Editor,
The recent story published in ‘The Times Of India’ about the Indore couple who went missing in Sohra, Meghalaya, is incredibly false and has sparked outrage among the locals. The report’s assertion that the location where the couple’s belongings were discovered is a “crime-prone hill” is recklessly sensationalist and factually false.
As a resident of Sohra, I can confirm that our area is visited by innumerable travellers, both men and women, who safely traverse our place on foot or by local transportation. Although accidents do occasionally happen because of the steep and slick terrain, calling Sohra “crime-prone” is untrue and demeaning to our community. There is no history of widespread crime against tourists, and locals are very helpful and friendly to all visitors.
It is disgraceful for a reputed publication like The Times of India to publish unverified, fear-mongering claims without proper investigation. Rather than publishing unverified and sensationalized news, The Times of India should have conducted thorough research and investigation. Before labelling the area “Crime-Prone”, they should have examined the region’s crime rates and history. Most of their published statements about the missing couple from Indore are factually incorrect, making me wonder if their staff even visited the area or simply made assumptions from their office. Such reporting tarnishes the reputation of our home and fuels unnecessary panic.
Indeed, I’m saddened to learn about the incident and wish for the couple’s safe return soon. I urge everyone to refrain from relying on media outlets like The Times of India that spread misinformation and instead seek accurate information from regional and credible sources. Let’s also avoid jumping to conclusions, as the police are working tirelessly alongside local residents to trace the missing couple.
I’d also like to clarify that there’s no such “Crime-Prone Hill” in Sohra, contrary to claims made by irresponsible and unprofessional journalists, such as those at The Times of India and some YouTubers from the mainland. Sohra is a safe destination for everyone to explore, and the locals are indeed helpful and friendly. I advise readers to avoid drawing conclusions based on careless journalism and instead look for information from reliable local sources. Sohra is still a friendly and safe place for everyone to visit. Our truth will not be overshadowed by sensationalism.
Carmel Fedrick Malngiang
Sohra
Via e-mail
