JOWAI: The All Jaintia Youth Welfare Organisation (AJYWO) has condemned the killing of two people in Umkyrpong village in East Jaintia Hills on Sunday for allegedly practicing witchcraft.
The brother-sister duo of Nes Salahe and Desment Salahe were brutally killed by a group of 15-20 people on suspicion that they were practicing witchcraft.
“We strongly condemn the killings and demand that those involved in the incident which includes the accused named in the complaint filed with police be immediately arrested,” AJYWO president, MH Dkhar said in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
The AJYWO also urged the district administration and State Government to take the Umkyrpong incident seriously so as to avoid the recurrence of such tragedies.
Meanwhile, East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, WR Lyngdoh informed that the Magistrate who conducted an inquiry into the incident will submit a report within a week.
Sources alleged that many of the accused in the incident have criminal records.
Sources also alleged that newly elected Rangbah Shnong, Koling Lamare, who is also an active member of the Presbyterian Church at Umkyrpong, acted as an instigator to the criminals.