Shillong, October 8 (NNN): In a gruesome incident, three residents of Nongkynrih and Laitlyngkot identified as Teming Khongsit, Warless Nongrum and Batskhem Rynjah were murdered by a mob in open glare in Maraikaphon and Mawki Syiem locality of Sohra. Two of the victims were killed in Mawki Syiem and the other was killed in Maraikapahon. One of the victim happened to be a mentally deranged man. They were accused of being hired killers of a sorcerer. For people with superstitious beliefs, the Khasi sorcerer is the one who rear the thlen, an unknown being who bears money in return for human blood. The three killed, however turned to be ordinary village folks. Their murder evoked sharp criticism from the Laitlyngkot and Nongkynrih village councils.
Apprehending a back clash, deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills District, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh convened a meeting with around 15 village elders of Laitlyngkot and Mawjrong in Shillong on Saturday in order to douse the flame of anger of the villagers. Terming the meeting as a confidence building exercise, an official who was part of the meeting said, “Besides assuring the village elders that appropriate action will be taken against the culprits, appeal was also made to them not to hire people for resorting to any vengeful activities”.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer told NNN today that the 10 arrested persons accused of being involved in the murder in Maraikaphon have been booked under section 302/34 of the IPC. Moreover, the police have also indentified those involved in the Mawki Syiem incident and arrest is likely to be made in a day or two. The twin incidents that cropped up due to the superstition were a big slur to Sohra, a place where modern education first set in the hills of the north eastern states.
Apprehending a back clash, deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills District, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh convened a meeting with around 15 village elders of Laitlyngkot and Mawjrong in Shillong on Saturday in order to douse the flame of anger of the villagers. Terming the meeting as a confidence building exercise, an official who was part of the meeting said, “Besides assuring the village elders that appropriate action will be taken against the culprits, appeal was also made to them not to hire people for resorting to any vengeful activities”.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer told NNN today that the 10 arrested persons accused of being involved in the murder in Maraikaphon have been booked under section 302/34 of the IPC. Moreover, the police have also indentified those involved in the Mawki Syiem incident and arrest is likely to be made in a day or two. The twin incidents that cropped up due to the superstition were a big slur to Sohra, a place where modern education first set in the hills of the north eastern states.
