From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: One Sirda Margnar lodged an FIR on June 25 against 9 members of the Joint Dorbar of four villages alleging that they physically assaulted her on June 9.
Sirda had been accused of practicing witch-craft (menshohnoh) and was apprehended by the Seng Longkmie (Women’s Organization) of Nongstoin. Sirda was accused of using the blood of a four- year-old to practice her sorcery and was eventually ousted from Nongstoin.
While she attempted to take shelter at Tiehsaw Village, villagers apprehended her along with her husband on June 9 and shaved their head (Khi lai nuid). Bald headed, they were made to carry tin- cans and walk around clanging the metal from Tiehsaw to Umlieh Village. After doing so, the villagers handed her to the Nongstoin police authorities after lodging a complaint.
On hearing of the FIR, the 9 members went to the Nongstoin Police Station on Monday along with hundreds of other villagers from 10 villages. The villagers demanded the Police authorities not to arrest the 9 members and that all the people of that area were responsible for assaulting Sirda. They also told the Officer In- Charge, T R Marwein that Sirda was involved in with-craft which was harmful for the society.
Marwein informed the villagers that the police had no intention of arresting the 9 members and that all they wanted to do was enquire about the case.
