Indore couple goes missing in Meghalaya, abandoned scooter found on hillside
A newly-wed couple from Madhya Pradesh's Indore has gone missing in Meghalaya while on their honeymoon, prompting a large-scale search operation, officials said on Tuesday. This is the second such case of tourists disappearing in the East Khasi Hills district since April.Raja Raghuvanshi, a transport businessman, and his wife Sonam were last seen on May 23. The couple had travelled to Shillong via Guwahati and rented a two-wheeler to visit Sohra (Cherrapunji), roughly 60 km away. The next day, the rented Activa scooter was found abandoned near Sohrarim, a village along a popular scenic route.advertisementThe Raghuvanshis had married in a grand ceremony on May 11 and began their honeymoon on May 20. They visited the Maa Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati before arriving in Shillong.
Raja's mother, Reena Raghuvanshi, said she last spoke to the couple on May 23. "They told me what they ate and where they were going," she recalled. That was the last communication. Calls to both their phones have since gone unanswered, and the devices have remained switched off since May 24.Raja's brother, Sachin Raghuvanshi, initially suspected poor network coverage but grew concerned when contact could not be re-established. A missing persons complaint was filed, triggering a joint search operation involving local police and relatives.Police said search teams are combing forest trails and cliffs popular with tourists. "The region's terrain is beautiful but unforgiving. Dense forests, deep gorges, and slippery slopes make rescue efforts difficult," said a police officer based in Sohra. advertisementThe couple's last known location was traced to Osra Hill in Shillong, a sensitive area where their rented scooter was found near a ditch. A nearby resort, reportedly known for criminal activity, is under investigation.Relatives, including Raja's brother Vipin and Sonam's brother Govind, have flown in from Indore and are assisting in the search. Govind used Google Maps and travel photos to narrow down the location and contacted the rental agency, which confirmed the scooter was hired by the couple and that they had headed toward Osra Hill.Police are also looking into a resort in the area, allegedly linked to local criminal elements. It is yet to be confirmed whether the couple visited or stayed there.Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Singh has assigned DCP Crime Branch Rajesh Kumar Tripathi to coordinate with the Meghalaya Police. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Cabinet minister Tulsiram Silawat spoke to the family and assured them of full state support.The disappearance comes weeks after a similar case involving Hungarian tourist Puskas Zsolt, who was found dead near Ramdait village in April, 12 days after being reported missing. Authorities had ruled out foul play, suggesting an accidental fall.In the wake of Zsolt's death, the East Khasi Hills administration had issued a safety advisory urging tourists to avoid venturing alone into forests, cliffs, and remote trails without certified local guides.
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