Meghalaya Bans Private Vehicles for Tourists, Mandates Digital Guest Tracking After Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case
First Published: 18th June, 2025 16:41 IST
Meghalaya Bans Private Vehicles: The state has also banned the commercial use of private vehicles for tourism purposes.
In the wake of the recent Raja Raghuvanshi murder case that sent shockwaves across country, the Meghalaya government has rolled out a tough action plan to enhance tourist safety and plug existing security gaps. Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday announced a series of major measures, including a complete ban on the use of private vehicles for ferrying tourists.
Addressing a press briefing, Minister Paul Lyngdoh stated that all accommodation units across Meghalaya, including lodges, resorts, homestays, and paying guest facilities, must now mandatorily register every traveller through the official tourism app. “The data collected through this app is being directly shared with the respective local police stations,” he said, adding that strict action will be taken against accommodation owners if a tourist is found unregistered and a law is violated.
As part of the sweeping reforms, the state has also banned the commercial use of private vehicles for tourism purposes. The Transport Department has already issued a formal notification prohibiting the rental of private two-wheelers and four-wheelers to tourists. This move comes after investigations into the Raja Raghuvanshi murder revealed that the accused had rented two-wheelers in Shillong before committing the crime.
“We welcome everyone to visit and explore Shillong and the rest of Meghalaya as tourists,” said Paul Lyngdoh. “But if anyone engages in unlawful activities or creates trouble, the state police will take immediate and firm action.”
The government has also intensified inter-agency coordination and is working on strengthening the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) to ensure tighter monitoring and quicker response to any threat to public safety.
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