Six Uttar Pradesh students fined Rs 2.5 lakh for vandalising Meghalaya homestay

Six young men from Uttar Pradesh were identified as responsible for extensive damage to a privately‑run homestay in Meghalaya. Local police said the group entered the property, broke furniture and caused structural damage before fleeing the scene.

Following an investigation, the Meghalaya tourism department and the owners of the homestay filed a civil claim. The court ordered the students to collectively pay Rs 2.5 lakh as restitution for the repairs and loss of income.

Authorities emphasized that the penalty is intended to deter similar acts of vandalism, which can harm the region’s growing tourism sector. The students have been released on bail pending further legal proceedings.

The incident has sparked concerns among local hoteliers about the safety of visitors and the need for stricter monitoring of out‑of‑state tourists.

No arrests have been reported beyond the financial settlement, and the case remains under the jurisdiction of the Meghalaya police and civil courts.