East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem has said the state requires robust record-keeping CCTVs.
Highlighting the difficulty faced by police in the case of the Indore couple he said the absence of CCTVs in Sohra was challenging besides the search operations that happened during the torrential rains.
The SP said installing CCTVs would help police in the event of any crime, especially in areas where there are tourist footfalls.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said homestays and hotels have been asked to ensure proper registration of visitors.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh noted the limitations of extensive surveillance in a region known for its natural beauty.
“Tourists come to Meghalaya to enjoy nature and privacy. This couple was on their honeymoon. Is it even desirable or humanly possible to fit CCTV cameras in every gorge or forested area in Sohra?” he said, adding that the state encourages lodges, homestays, and high-footfall areas to install CCTVs.
Lyngdoh said all tourist destinations in Meghalaya are safe. Sohra experienced such an incident for the first time. “We had never reported a single incident of serious crime against tourists. This was a premeditated act, and tragically, even married honeymooning couples may not raise suspicion. But the moment tourists decline guides and wander into remote trails alone, tracking their movement becomes extremely difficult,” he added.
