By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The East Khasi Hills District Administration has decided to be firm while dealing with kangaroo courts which cast aspersions on certain individuals accusing them of being menshohnoh or the worshippers of U Thlen (a python that feeds on human blood) which is an old Khasi belief, and then lynching them. The incident had rocked the headlines after three people were mobbed by villagers at Maraikaphon, Sohra last week.
Speaking to media persons after convening a meeting of the peace committee, J Lyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills, said, “We will be firm in dealing these cases as we have learnt from past mistakes. The rule of law must prevail and our being firm will instil confidence in the people about the role of the district administration.
“The law will take its own course and those who were involved in the two incidents would be dealt with firmly,” he added.
The meeting which was attended by legislators comprising Prestone Tynsong, PW Khongjee and Ronnie V Lyngdoh also resolved to move the government to set up a police outpost at Mawjrong (en-route to Sohra).
Three persons, two at Mawkisyiem and one at Maraikaphon in the Sohra region, hailing from Laitlyngkot area, died last week after they were lynched by villagers who accused them of being menshohnoh or those who worship U Thlen (a mythical serpent) in the hope of acquiring wealth.
Another resolution adopted in the meeting is to ensure that such incidents do not recur, adding that there should be free flow of movement of people between Sohra and Laitlyngkot as it used to be prior to the unfortunate events.
“If the village authorities find anyone entering their localities, they should not take the law into their own hands, but should inform their elders who would in turn inform the police,” Lyngdoh added while speaking to reporters after the meeting.
It may be mentioned that Section 144 CrPc which has been clamped in the Sohra region since last week would continue for another two months till complete normalcy returns.
Meanwhile, the village headman, JJ Sawian has accused that women actually instigated men to eliminate a mentally-challenged person who was accused of being a menshohnoh at Maraikaphon, Sohra last week.
Sawian, while speaking to reporters after the meeting, said that women of Maraikaphon prompted the men to eliminate Timingstar Khongsit on October 4.
“We are convinced that it was the women folk who instigated the men to take such a drastic step, which led to his (Khongsit’s) unfortunate death.” he added.
According to Sawian, the village council (Dorbar Shnong) has taken strong exception to the incident and the women folk have been asked not to instigate mob fury in the future.
“In future, stern action will be taken against anyone (from the village) who instigates others to commit similar crimes,” Sawian warned while condemning Khongsit’s death.
It is learnt that the belief that menshohnoh were operating in the area started brewing ever since the disappearance of a child who was later found from the village. Khongsit was lynched to death by the Maraikaphon villagers while he was on his way to meet a Catholic priest in Sohra.
Ten people have been arrested so far in connection with Khongsit’s death and the police are still investigating into the pros and cons of the incident.