The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) today strongly condemned a recent report by a national daily that described Sohra as part of “crime-prone hills.”
The forum demanded that the publication clarify the basis of its claim and issue a public corrigendum, calling the description misleading and damaging to Meghalaya’s thriving tourism sector.
The description was made on a video news report by the Times of India concerning the disappearance of two tourists from Madhya Pradesh last week in the Sohra area.
MTDF chairman Larsing Ming Sawyan, accompanied by MTDF general secretary Ian Lyngdoh and senior member Alan West, expressed deep disappointment over the portrayal of the region. The forum said such a statement not only misrepresents the ground reality but also threatens to undermine years of progress in tourism development in the state.
“This is a very serious statement to make because it insinuates that Meghalaya or Khasi Hills is an area prone to crime, which is highly misleading and condemnable,” Sawyan stated.
He emphasised that Meghalaya has always been known for its peace-loving society and warm hospitality, especially toward visitors. “Never has there been any major incident relating to crime against tourists that would warrant such a sweeping generalisation,” he added.
The MTDF stressed that such negative branding can have long-lasting implications, especially at a time when Meghalaya is gaining prominence on the national and international tourism map. Sawyan highlighted major international events hosted in the state in recent months that featured global artists like Akon, Bryan Adams and Ed Sheeran. He also mentioned that cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar spent five days exploring rural Meghalaya, leaving with memorable experiences.
Commenting on the recent case of a missing couple from Indore, the MTDF chairman expressed hope that they will be found safe and sound. He stressed that such isolated incidents should not be used to define an entire region.
Calling on the national media to refrain from sensationalism, the MTDF said, “We are open to criticism when warranted and ready to make corrections where needed. But untruths disseminated under the guise of journalism only hurt the region’s image and growth prospects.”
