By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: It is noticed that superstition has corrupted the minds of many especially those living in the rural areas where they still tend to believe in witchcraft and wizardry and in the process create an intense atmosphere making people live in fear and apprehension.
In yet another case of intense superstition, one Korbing Sohphoh (44), son of S Wahlang and resident of Sni Mawlein at Mawkyrwat, West Khasi Hills was assaulted by a group of villagers at his residence suspecting him to practice witchcraft in the village.
According to the police, the incident took place on October 3 around 7 in the morning. A group of villagers came to Korbing house in the morning and assaulted him near his sister.
According to the victim, he was returning home late from the market on the night of October 2 when he forgot to switch off the main switch of the mobile tower (unknown company) where he worked. So he went back to his work place later that night to complete his work. The villagers were suspicious because f this late night work.
Meanwhile, according to Korbing’s sister who is the witness, on the morning of October 3, a group of villagers made him carry bricks on his head making him walk on his knees.She added that her brother was made to enter into a large sack and exit several times. Worse of all, he was allegedly made to take human excreta several times. For four days Korbing and his family lived in fear, reluctant to lodge an FIR. It was further informed that on the night of October 6, he received a phone call from an unknown number threatening him with an unpleasant message “Today is your day, do whatever you want with your life and tomorrow you will be sent to the grave”. Soon after receiving the message, Korbing and his family fled to Shillong.
When contacted, Superintendent of Police, West Khasi Hills Dr N Raja Marthandan said at the moment, they are still investigating the case and they are still waiting for Korbing to file an FIR against the villagers.
“I have sent the OC to Shillong to talk to Korbing and to ask him to file an FIR against the group of miscreants and as soon as an FIR is registered, we will take strict actions against them”, Marthandan added.
In another incident, two persons were apprehended while they were trying to grab alcohol from a wine store located near Bijou Cinema Hall at Khyndai Lad on Saturday evening.
According to the police, around 7 drunkards arrived at the wine store and tried to grab alcohol for free resulting to a brawl between the owner and the miscreants. To prevent the further trouble, the vendor closed the shutter and two of the seven drunkards were locked inside.
Five other miscreants managed to flee the scene along with two bottle of alcohol (Officer’s Choice).