Northeast India Demands Apology from National Media Over Indore Couple Case Coverage

Agartala/Ukhrul, Jun 11: Northeast India’s political leaders and civil society organizations are demanding formal apologies from national media outlets and the families involved in the Indore couple case, following what they describe as a sustained misinformation campaign that unfairly portrayed Meghalaya and the broader Northeast region as unsafe and backward.

In recent weeks, Northeast India has witnessed a wave of outrage over national media reports that falsely implicated Meghalaya’s tribal communities and local authorities in the disappearance of a couple from Indore. Some of these reports described the region as unsafe and cited unverified claims about local practices. These narratives quickly spread across social media, damaging the image of Northeast India and affecting tourism. Subsequent investigations confirmed that there was no involvement of local residents in the case.

Following the breakthrough, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma congratulated the Meghalaya Police, writing on X, “Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved by the Meghalaya Police in the Raja murder case. Three assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, the female accused has surrendered, and operations are still underway to catch one more assailant.”

Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice in the Raja murder case … 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant .. well done #meghalayapolice

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 9, 2025

Must read | Meghalaya Indore Honeymoon Murder Case Solved; Sonam Raghuvanshi Surrenders In UP

Meghalaya Chief Minister Calls Out Media Bias

While giving an interview to national media, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma defended the investigation’s progress, stating, “Because the investigation is still on, it would be incorrect for me to say anything, but I can give you a very strong statement saying that it is definitely on the right track, and all the evidence is there and this is a very tight case.”

The Chief Minister acknowledged the pressure faced by his administration, saying, “That was very challenging I should say and it’s okay to point a finger towards a government, it’s okay to point a finger towards the police force. We are quite used to it.”

However, he expressed deep concern about the broader implications of the media coverage. “But what actually hurt all of us was more the fact that the people were being blamed and a very wrong picture of Northeast, forget Meghalaya alone, the whole of Northeast was being branded in a very negative manner.”

Sangma explained how the negative portrayal motivated his team to work harder. “So, it was not a very good thing, and it really put a lot of pressure on us, especially the police to move even more aggressively. But I think the police took it as a challenge. In fact, we all took it as a challenge, and we said that we will move in the right way, and we’ll get things done and that’s how it moved forward, and I think what is more important now is that we need to really take this forward.”

Despite the challenges, the Chief Minister highlighted the compassionate response of local communities. “I know that there are a lot of sentiments, a lot of people even today you won’t believe there was actually a prayer meeting that was organized in Sohra area for the deceased in his respect and they prayed for him and that’s how the people of Sohra and Meghalaya and the Northeast are that even though this was something that came as a surprise to us and damaged us, but for us we will look at forgiveness, we look at aspects of moving forward and realizing that this is a difficult moment for the family too.”

The Chief Minister concluded with an invitation rather than mere words of condemnation. “We hope that we all overcome this situation and I really hope that in fact I encourage people who spoke negatively about Meghalaya and Northeast, it’s not just words of apology but the real way would be to actually come and visit the place, meet the people and be with the people and I think that’s really what we should take forward from here.”

Also read | Meghalaya Honeymoon Horror: Man Found Dead, Wife Still Untraced

Meghalaya Minister Calls for Family Accountability

On Tuesday, Meghalaya Minister Alexander Laloo Hek expressed his appreciation for the police investigation while simultaneously holding the victims’ families accountable for their role in damaging the state’s reputation.

Addressing media representatives, Minister Hek said, “We are thankful to the Meghalaya police for the breakthroughs in the ongoing investigation of the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case. Now we are seeking an apology from Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi’s families for tarnishing the image of Meghalaya and its people. We will file a case of defamation if they don’t comply.”

The Minister also clarified the state’s stance on handling the accused while expressing openness to inter-agency cooperation. “The accused will be brought here since the incident took place in the state. We do not have any issue if they want to hand over the case to the state police, central police or the probe agency, but the truth has already prevailed,” said the Minister.

Regional Leader Condemns National Media

Responding to the misleading reports, Tripura’s royal scion and founder of TIPRA Motha, Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, wrote on X, “A section of the media should apologise for trying to tarnish the image of Meghalaya and the Northeast in general!”

A section of media should apologise for trying to tarnish the image of Meghalaya and northeast in general ! https://t.co/4DaekQj1tF

— Pradyot_Tripura (@PradyotManikya) June 9, 2025

Times of India Confronts Regional Outrage

Communities from across Meghalaya’s hill regions, with particular representation from Sohra and surrounding villages, have formally confronted The Times of India over language used in their coverage that they view as deeply offensive to their regional identity.

The collective action emerged after the Times of India’s Bhopal edition characterized their region as “crime-prone hills,” a description that resonated as particularly hurtful among local residents who pride themselves on their peaceful communities and cultural heritage.

In their formal communication to the Editor-in-Chief of the national daily, community representatives conveyed their “utmost seriousness and deep concern” regarding this portrayal, emphasizing how it has “deeply hurt the sentiments of the local communities and damaged the state’s image.”

Although Times of India subsequently issued a corrigendum clarifying that the terminology was not meant to characterize the entire state and removed the phrase from their online version, local leaders maintain that “the damage to the image and dignity of Meghalaya and its people is real and remains deeply felt.”

The region, celebrated for its pristine landscapes, harmonious communities, and vibrant tribal heritage, has expressed particular frustration with what residents perceive as an unfair generalization that diminishes the professional efforts of their law enforcement personnel.

Community representatives specifically highlighted their concern about the disrespect shown toward police efforts, noting in their letter: “Most disheartening is the disregard this phrase has shown toward the relentless efforts of the Meghalaya Police, who with dedication and resilience, searched for days under extremely challenging conditions to bring facts to light.”

Beyond immediate concerns about dignity and respect, the community appeal highlighted potential economic consequences, particularly regarding tourism, which represents a vital component of their regional livelihood. They argued that such broad characterizations could discourage potential visitors from experiencing their natural beauty and cultural richness.

The formal request seeks acknowledgment across multiple platforms, encompassing print publications, digital content, and social media presence. “We respectfully, yet firmly, request The Times of India to issue a formal public apology across all your national editions. This apology should be directed specifically to the people of Meghalaya, acknowledging the error and the harm it has caused to the collective dignity of our state,” the letter stated.

The community leaders positioned their appeal as an opportunity for constructive dialogue, concluding their message with: “Let this moment be an opportunity for a leading national daily like yours to demonstrate accountability, humility, and respect for the diverse communities that make up this great nation.”

The formal representation was submitted on behalf of “the Unified Voice of All Villages in the Sohra Region.”

Also read | Family Of Indore Man Found Dead In Meghalaya Demands CBI Probe; Wife Still Missing

Social Organization Challenges Media Coverage

In a comprehensive statement released on Sunday, the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) launched a scathing critique of what it termed a systematic “misinformation campaign” surrounding the Raja Raghuvanshi death case and Sonam Raghuvanshi’s disappearance and subsequent reappearance. The organization simultaneously used this platform to advocate for enhanced constitutional protections through the Inner Line Permit system.

CoMSO characterized the ILP as far more than administrative procedure, stating: “The ILP is not merely a regulatory mechanism; it is a protective framework to preserve the social, cultural, and territorial sanctity of indigenous people. It is a framework that would have pre-empted the chaos, confusion, and defamation that engulfed our state over the past few weeks.”

The organization directed sharp criticism toward major national media outlets, naming NDTV, India Today, Times Now, and The Times of India specifically, accusing them of prioritizing “sensationalism over truth” and conducting what they described as a “digital trial” against Meghalaya’s people following the Sohra incident.

CoMSO’s statement detailed their concerns about media conduct: “National media channels, motivated more by ratings than responsibility, aired unverified allegations against Meghalaya Police, questioned the administrative competence of the state, and allowed Vipul Raghuvanshi — the deceased’s brother — to publicly accuse Meghalaya’s institutions of apathy and conspiracy.”

The organization expressed particular frustration with how “half-truths were projected as headlines,” creating a narrative that portrayed Meghalaya as “backward, dangerous, and systemically failed.”

Despite these challenges, CoMSO emphasized the dignified response from their state, noting: “Meghalaya responded not with rage but with resolve.” The statement highlighted collaborative efforts involving “the Meghalaya Police, SDRF, NDRF, and local communities who worked under adverse terrain, high altitudes, forested gorges, and psychological pressure from both the media and political commentary.”

With the case resolution revealing the arrests of co-accused individuals and Sonam Raghuvanshi’s reappearance, CoMSO argued that “the truth surfaced,” demonstrating this was “maybe a ‘personal crime, not a communal failing.’“

The organization issued specific demands for accountability from both Vipul Raghuvanshi and Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, characterizing their actions as a “calculated” campaign designed to politicize the incident and generate anti-Meghalaya sentiment nationally. “Their actions went beyond grieving — they exploited media channels and accused an entire people,” CoMSO stated.

The statement argued that both individuals “demeaned our officials, questioned our humanity, and ultimately accused an entire people.” Now that their narrative has “collapsed under the weight of facts,” CoMSO insists they must apologize to “the Government of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya Police, the local community of Sohra, and every citizen whose name was so casually dragged through the mud.”

CoMSO delivered particularly harsh criticism of national media practices, declaring: “They had a responsibility to verify before they vilified. They failed. Instead of asking where Sonam went, they asked what was wrong with Meghalaya. Instead of investigating the truth, they fuelled falsehoods. And instead of acting with neutrality, they ignited xenophobic tropes about the Northeast.”

The organization emphasized the peaceful response from Meghalaya residents throughout the crisis: “There was no retribution. Our citizens cooperated with police. The people of Sohra opened their homes, churches, and community halls to facilitate the operation. The Khasi elders invoked ancestral prayers for safety and truth.”

CoMSO connected this incident to broader patterns of discrimination, arguing: “This, once again, exposes the deep-rooted prejudice that mainland India holds against the Northeast.”

Building on this foundation, CoMSO renewed their ILP advocacy: “Had ILP been operational, the movement of outsiders would have been documented, regulated, and recorded. ILP ensures that such episodes are addressed with lawful clarity, not chaotic speculation.”

The organization called upon Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to pursue “strong legal action under appropriate criminal and civil laws” against those responsible for defaming the state and interfering with the investigation process.

CoMSO concluded by requesting federal intervention, calling on the Government of India to issue official statements “either in Parliament or through the Ministry of Home Affairs — affirming the integrity of Meghalaya’s law enforcement and local people. This is not only to restore national trust but to affirm the principles of federal respect and cooperative governance.”

The statement ended with a pointed message directed at the broader Indian public: “Our identity is not yours to question when things go wrong. Our hospitality is not a license for humiliation. And our peace-loving nature should not be mistaken for weakness.”