INDORE: What was meant to be a joyful beginning of a new chapter in life has turned into a nightmare for the families of Raja and Sonam Raghuwanshi — a young couple from Indore who disappeared during their honeymoon in Meghalaya.For the past six days, their loved ones have been clinging to hope, while search teams comb the rain-drenched forests and dangerous cliffs near Shillong, praying for a sign of life. In desperation, the family has announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for any information about their whereabouts.Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav spoke with Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma on Tuesday, requesting swift action to locate the couple.Raja, a 30-year-old transport businessman, and Sonam, whom he had married just weeks earlier, left Indore for Guwahati on May 20.
Missing couple’s rented vehicle, bag found in ‘crime-prone’ hills
They were excited to explore the lush hills of the Northeast — a dream trip for both. After two days in Guwahati, they headed to Shillong. The last time the family heard from them was on May 23.“We were in touch with them until that day. After that, their phones were switched off. We knew something was wrong,” said Govind Raghuwanshi, Sonam’s brother. “They were newly married, just beginning a future together. We never imagined this.”The worry turned to dread when their rented scooter was found abandoned near Osara Hills in Sohra Rim — a remote area notorious for being unsafe and prone to criminal activity. Two bags belonging to the couple were later discovered in a nearby gorge, partially hidden in the bushes on Tuesday.Despite the rain and treacherous terrain, more than 50 people — including police officers, local villagers, and members of the village defence party — have been tirelessly searching for the couple.Their family has refused to give up. “We will not stop until we find them,” said Govind, who flew to Shillong along with Raja’s brother Vipin a day later.Indore MP Shankar Lalwani travelled to Shillong on Wednesday and met the state’s DGP Idashisha Nongrang. “All evidence so far points to foul play,” he said. “This wasn’t an accident. The couple had four phones, including two iPhones — all are switched off. They were also wearing jewellery.”Piecing together the last known movements of the couple has been haunting. They reportedly visited the famous Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat village, a challenging trek that takes hours. It’s believed they spent the night nearby and were seen the next morning having tea at a small roadside kiosk. After that they went missing.“It takes at least four to five hours to descend towards Nongrait village and people usually stay there for the night before returning. We found out that they had returned and had also had tea at a kiosk on the way after which they went missing,” said Govind, fearing that they were attacked by robbers.The distances between where their scooter was found, their bags, and their last known tea stop have only deepened the mystery. “There’s a big gap in the timeline. Something happened between those points. Maybe they were followed. Maybe they were robbed,” Govind said.The search is now concentrated around a gorge near the Root Bridge, about 50km from Shillong.
