Latest news with #Syiem
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
From cell to cafe: 140-year-old police station-turned-coffee shop in Meghalaya serves visitors in lockup
SOHRA: A 140-year-old police station in Meghalaya's Sohra has undergone a transformation into a trendy cafe, offering delectable and lip-smacking food to visitors at the world's wettest place. Established in 1885, the Sohra police station's erstwhile building is the oldest such facility in Meghalaya, and it had been a dreaded detention centre during the British rule. But now, 'Sohra 1885', or as the cafe is known, has become a hotspot for foodies and tourists. It offers a unique blend of history and hospitality, as the eatery allows visitors to have their favourite food in lockups turned into a dining area. The profit made from the establishment is being given for police welfare. All credit goes to the rank and file of the Meghalaya Police, who supported an idea pitched by East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem when he was a DSP 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 of history," he told PTI. "I pitched this idea when I was a DSP," he said, adding that he knew all along that this heritage site would attract a lot of visitors. Soon after, the government started the process of constructing a new police station building to accommodate more personnel, the process of monetising the heritage police station also began. "Monetisation meant extra income for the force and especially for police welfare activities," Syiem said, adding that two years ago a formal bidding process for the cafe began to finalise a partner for running the show. The new partner, a young entrepreneur, proposed designs to match the heritage building and aptly named the cafe 'Sohra 1885'. Nafi Nongrum, the business partner, refurbished the entire building using the British-era items from the old police station. "We have converted the lockups into a dining area. The visitors are enjoying the ambience," she said. The SP said the business partner has done a great job in restoring the old building, leaving the walls and floors as they were. "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. According to Nongrum, a 200 kg safe was also refurbished, repainted and polished. He said the cafe has a seating capacity of 100 people. Since its official inauguration on May 22, the cafe has become a new hit among the locals and visitors alike. Batskhem Thabah, one of the patrons at the cafe, said, "We really enjoyed our time in the lockup which has been converted into a dining area."
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Visitors get to dine in lockup at 140-year-old police station-turned-cafe in Meghalaya
Sohra , A 140-year-old police station in Meghalaya's Sohra has undergone a transformation into a trendy cafe, offering delectable and lip-smacking food to visitors at the world's wettest place. Established in 1885, the Sohra police station's erstwhile building is the oldest such facility in Meghalaya, and it had been a dreaded detention centre during the British rule. But now, 'Sohra 1885', or as the cafe is known, has become a hotspot for foodies and tourists. It offers a unique blend of history and hospitality, as the eatery allows visitors to have their favourite food in lockups turned into a dining area. The profit made from the establishment is being given for police welfare. All credit goes to the rank and file of the Meghalaya Police, who supported an idea pitched by East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem when he was a DSP 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 of history,' he told PTI. 'I pitched this idea when I was a DSP,' he said, adding that he knew all along that this heritage site would attract a lot of visitors. Soon after, the government started the process of constructing a new police station building to accommodate more personnel, the process of monetising the heritage police station also began. 'Monetisation meant extra income for the force and especially for police welfare activities,' Syiem said, adding that two years ago a formal bidding process for the cafe began to finalise a partner for running the show. The new partner, a young entrepreneur, proposed designs to match the heritage building and aptly named the cafe 'Sohra 1885'. Nafi Nongrum, the business partner, refurbished the entire building using the British-era items from the old police station. 'We have converted the lockups into a dining area. The visitors are enjoying the ambience,' she said. The SP said the business partner has done a great job in restoring the old building, leaving the walls and floors as they were. '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. According to Nongrum, a 200 kg safe was also refurbished, repainted and polished. He said the cafe has a seating capacity of 100 people. Since its official inauguration on May 22, the cafe has become a new hit among the locals and visitors alike. Batskhem Thabah, one of the patrons at the cafe, said, "We really enjoyed our time in the lockup which has been converted into a dining area.'
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Man from Assam held for harassing schoolgirls in Shillong
Shillong: A man from Assam has been taken into custody by Meghalaya police for allegedly harassing schoolgirls in Shillong before escaping to his village. The detained individual was identified as Himan Gogoi (24), a resident of Jorhat, Assam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem, investigations commenced after a video surfaced on May 24, showing a masked individual inappropriately touching a schoolgirl. The footage showed the perpetrator lifting the student's uniform while capturing photographs on a mobile device. A dedicated team, headed by additional SP (Operations) Ivan B Diengdoh, was established on May 26 to locate the suspect. The incident occurred near YWCA in Umsohsun on May 23 at 6:35am. After locating and examining the victim, authorities registered an FIR at Lumdiengjri Police Station under Case No. 55(05)2025, citing Sections 76 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Sections 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Syiem reported another incident from May 19, between 7:15 and 7:30am, near Dreamland in Police Bazar, where a schoolgirl faced similar harassment. A separate FIR was registered at Sadar Police Station under Case No. 140(05)2025, with charges under Sections 7 and 8 of the POCSO Act. Both cases were designated as special reports due to their severity. On May 28, a police team led by woman police sub-inspector Lavinia Kongwang travelled to Jorhat. With support from Lahdoigarh Outpost under Teok Police Station, they conducted a raid in Bamkukurachua village, where the accused was found at a relative's house. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The authorities seized the mobile phone used in the offences and additional evidence during the operation. Syiem added that the accused is also connected to another case at Teok Police Station (Case No. 43(03)2025) under Sections 329(3) and 79 of the BNS. "The accused will be produced in the district court, Jorhat and after acquiring transit remand, he will be produced in court in Shillong," the statement said on Thursday.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
MP tourist couple goes missing in Cherrapunjee
Shillong: A couple from Madhya Pradesh, Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raja Raghuvanshi, have been reported missing from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) since last week. SP (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem confirmed on Monday that search operations are underway. The last sighting of the tourists was on May 22. They had hired a scooter from Keating Road, Shillong, and travelled to Mawlakhait, before proceeding to Nongriat where they stayed at Shipara Homestay. "They left Nongriat early in the morning at around 5:30 am the next day and returned to Mawlakhait. However, the scooter was not found at Mawlakhait. It was later reported abandoned near Golden Pines Dhaba in Sohra Rim by community members on May 23," the SP said. The local police received the abandoned scooter, which still had its key inserted. Subsequently, the police control room was notified, and the relatives of the couple filed a missing persons report. "All stakeholders, including nearby villages and local authorities, have been alerted. Police teams and home guards have been deployed in surrounding areas to trace their whereabouts," the SP said. Asked about potential foul play, Syiem said, "At this point, it's too early to speculate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Our priority is to locate them. They were last seen in Nongriat and reportedly left early morning. We are trying to trace their movements since then." The SP said the couple had arranged the scooter rental for four days, and "it's possible they lost their way". Syiem added that tourist advisories were previously issued. "In fact, they had taken a guide from Mawlakhait to Mawriat. However, on their return journey, they were unaccompanied. The scooter being found abandoned with the key adds to the mystery, and efforts are ongoing to locate them."
