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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Dine behind bars: Historic police station in Meghalaya reimagined as a cafe
In the misty hills of Sohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya, a 140-year-old colonial-era police station has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind dining destination. Belovedly, it's named as Sohra 1885. Once known as a 'dreaded detention centre' during British rule, this heritage building now invites visitors to enjoy a meal behind bars. Literally. This very initiative, led by Meghalaya Police and conceptualized by Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, aims to preserve the state's architectural legacy and supporting police welfare, on the other hand. Entrepreneur Nafi Nongrum spearheaded the restoration, retaining original British-era elements like the fireplace and flooring, while converting the lock-up area into a quirky dining space. The café, reportedly, offers seating for up to 100 guests approximately, and features a diverse menu. Visitors can experience the thrill of dining in refurbished jail cells, making it a must-visit for both foodies and history enthusiasts. Sohra 1885 proves to be not just 'a' cafe, but a creative blend of heritage, hospitality, and history, offering one of a kind experience, surrounded by one of India's most scenic locales. Similar cafés like this: Written by: Rajlekha Roy Burman
NDTV
6 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Police Station Turned Into Restaurant: This Meghalaya Cafe Lets You Dine Inside A 'Jail'
Ever wondered what it feels like to dine inside a jail? Do not worry - the food is nothing like prison meals, but the ambience might surprise you. While jail-themed restaurants exist in various cities, this one stands out. A new cafe has opened in Sohra (Cherrapunjee), Meghalaya, inside a building that once functioned as a real police station. Established in 1885, it is the oldest of its kind in the state and was known as a "dreaded detention centre" during colonial times, according to PTI. Now, it has been transformed into a heritage cafe called "Sohra 1885", complete with a refurbished lock-up area offering a unique 'jail dining' experience. The initiative has been led by the Meghalaya Police. The concept was proposed by Vivek Syiem, the current Superintendent of Police in East Khasi Hills. He had first pitched the idea when he was serving as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the area. "I always wanted to do something with the heritage police station. There are not many such buildings left in the state that have so much history," he told PTI. Profits from the cafe will reportedly go towards police welfare. The cafe is a collaboration with Nafi Nongrum, a young entrepreneur. She took on the restoration using several British-era artefacts from the original police station, as per PTI. The walls have been preserved in their original form, while the rest of the structure has been upgraded for comfort and safety. "Even the fireplace has been renovated to its old glory. The floors have been left to their original state as they are still in very good condition," Syiem said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lily Sawian (@ Batskhem Thabah, a customer at the cafe, said, "We really enjoyed our time in the lockup, which has been converted into a dining area." The cafe also offers additional seating, accommodating up to 100 guests in total. The multi-cuisine menu includes comfort food like pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, and momos, along with popular dishes from Mexican, Indo-Chinese, South Indian, and North Indian cuisines.
