3 search and rescue teams, K9 units & drones deployed for rescuing the missing tourist couple from MP: Hek

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 28, 2025

Three search and rescue teams supported by K9 units, drones from NESAC and special operations team (SOT) personnel have been deployed to Sohra on Wednesday to rescue the missing tourist couple hailing from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

This was informed by Minister in-charge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary AL Hek after visiting Sohra to oversee the search and rescue operations.

“(The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Sohra Civil Sub-division has briefed me that) as of 28 May, three search and rescue teams, supported by K9 units, drones from NESAC, and Special Operations Team (SOT) personnel, have been deployed to: Nongriat-Pyndemdkhar-Mawlakhiat Mawsahew-Wahkaliar Weisawdong,” Hek told reporters.

After reviewing the search and rescue operations, the minister emphasized the urgency of a thorough and expedited search to locate the missing couple.

According to the ADC, the search will extend to the gorges along Mawkdok, Umdiengpoh, and up to Sohra Rim along the Shillong-Sohra Road. Local communities are also being canvassed for witness reports and Block Development Officers have been asked to instruct all field staff to do the same.

On May 22, a tourist couple Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam (his wife) arrived at Mawlakhiat village (Elaka Mynteng) on a rented scooty to visit the Double Decker Root Bridge in Nongriat. They engaged a local guide, Bha Wansai, and stayed overnight at Shipara Homestay in Nongriat, the official said. 

They checked out at 06:00 on the 23rd May 2025, intending to return to Mawlakhiat. No confirmed sightings of the couple trekking from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat or retrieving their scooty from the Mawlakhiat parking lot were reported, despite heavy tourist activity. On May 24 , at 9:00 pm, the Sordar of Sohrarim reported an abandoned scooty, traced to the couple via E-Challan on 25 May 2025 at 2:30 pm. An FIR in, filed by relatives, has been registered.

On May 22, the couple left their luggage at Manha Homestay, Saitsohpen, Sohra, due to no vacancies and heavy rainfall, providing their name and phone number before proceeding to look for accommodation. However it was learnt later that they had proceeded to Nongriat. 

The luggage has been opened along with the relatives but revealed no clues, the ADC said.

Further, the official said that no verified reports confirm the couple’s movements from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat or use of the scooty from the parking lot.