Shillong | October 10 : Even as the village council functionaries of Maraikaphon and Mawki Syiem localities of Sohra (Cherrapunjee) in Meghalaya admitted that three people were killed in their respective domains by a frenzied mob last week, deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district Jopthiaw Lyngdoh stated that there will be no leniency against those involved in the gruesome murder.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday, three people were brutally killed in the two localities of Sohra for being the alleged menshohnoh (hired killers of khasi sorcerers). The three hailed from Laitlyngkot and Nongkynrih village of East Khasi Hills.
Following the incident, an uneasy calm prevails after the village councils of the deceased decried the killings, terming the incidents as merciless killings of the innocents.
Although the first confidence building meeting was called by the district administration last Saturday, on Monday the head of the district summoned all Syiem (chiefs),village headmans and elders of Sohra, Laitlyngkot and Nongkynrih,MLAs and religious elders for a meeting.
The deputy commissioner during today's meeting impressed upon the elders to maintain peace and harmony, besides urging them to ensure that there should be no back lash.
While the elders of Maraikaphon and Mawki Syiem expressed regrets for the incidents that took place in the area under their jurisdiction, they assured that such incident will not happen again.
“We condemned the incidents that led to the death of three people in the hands of the mob”, stated the headman of Maraikaphon J J Sawian, adding, “We will enlighten the residents that they should not take the law into their own hands” The headman of Mawki Syiem could not be contacted since he left soon after the meeting.
Last Tuesday two people from Nongkynrih were killed under similar circumstances in Mawki Syiem and one more is still fighting for his life in a city hospital.
The Sordar (chief) of Laitlyngkot A Shabong said, “What happened to our villagers was unexpected, yet we will not resort to anything that will affect peace and tranquillity”. However, he was categorical in saying the alleged perpetrators should be treated as per the law of the land. Village headman of Nongkynrih, Pynshlur Nongsteng stated, “ We are happy that the Syiem (Chief) of Sohra has promised that the incident will be the first and the last.”
Notwithstanding the joint resolution to maintain peace and harmony, deputy commissioner Jopthiaw Lyngdoh made it clear that those involved in the brutal killings will not be spared.
“We will be firm and our ongoing investigation to nab the culprits is an indicator”, stated Lyngdoh, adding, “More arrest will be made in the next few days”. Already 10 people have been arrested by the police for their alleged involvement in the Maraikaphon case.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday, three people were brutally killed in the two localities of Sohra for being the alleged menshohnoh (hired killers of khasi sorcerers). The three hailed from Laitlyngkot and Nongkynrih village of East Khasi Hills.
Following the incident, an uneasy calm prevails after the village councils of the deceased decried the killings, terming the incidents as merciless killings of the innocents.
Although the first confidence building meeting was called by the district administration last Saturday, on Monday the head of the district summoned all Syiem (chiefs),village headmans and elders of Sohra, Laitlyngkot and Nongkynrih,MLAs and religious elders for a meeting.
The deputy commissioner during today's meeting impressed upon the elders to maintain peace and harmony, besides urging them to ensure that there should be no back lash.
While the elders of Maraikaphon and Mawki Syiem expressed regrets for the incidents that took place in the area under their jurisdiction, they assured that such incident will not happen again.
“We condemned the incidents that led to the death of three people in the hands of the mob”, stated the headman of Maraikaphon J J Sawian, adding, “We will enlighten the residents that they should not take the law into their own hands” The headman of Mawki Syiem could not be contacted since he left soon after the meeting.
Last Tuesday two people from Nongkynrih were killed under similar circumstances in Mawki Syiem and one more is still fighting for his life in a city hospital.
The Sordar (chief) of Laitlyngkot A Shabong said, “What happened to our villagers was unexpected, yet we will not resort to anything that will affect peace and tranquillity”. However, he was categorical in saying the alleged perpetrators should be treated as per the law of the land. Village headman of Nongkynrih, Pynshlur Nongsteng stated, “ We are happy that the Syiem (Chief) of Sohra has promised that the incident will be the first and the last.”
Notwithstanding the joint resolution to maintain peace and harmony, deputy commissioner Jopthiaw Lyngdoh made it clear that those involved in the brutal killings will not be spared.
“We will be firm and our ongoing investigation to nab the culprits is an indicator”, stated Lyngdoh, adding, “More arrest will be made in the next few days”. Already 10 people have been arrested by the police for their alleged involvement in the Maraikaphon case.
