SHILLONG: In an attempt to clamp down satanic and cult worship, the East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed Section 144 CrPC prohibiting assembly of people in and around the graveyards.
Sources on Wednesday said the police have also been armed with powers to conduct raids at any time anywhere in and around the city to tackle this menace.
The official added that it has been decided that regular raids by district police and administration officials will be conducted with immediate effect.
Moreover, sources revealed that East Khasi Hills additional district magistrate in charge of law and order, DM Wahlang had led a magisterial team last week for a spot inspection in several cemeteries in Lawmali & Mawroh areas.
During the inspection, the magisterial team witnessed that in many of the cemeteries there were scores of graves desecrated with obscene graffiti, liquor bottles strewn all over and in some places even recently lit bonfires using wooden crosses extracted from adjoining grave sites were found.
With most of the graves not fenced, sources admitted that it is an uphill task for the magistrates and police to monitor such areas.
“Action will be taken against people found sitting gambling and drinking in the graveyards,” the official warned adding, “Even those who chose such places to rendezvous for exchanging their love for each other will not be spared.”
The official added that spreading of awareness against the cult, especially among the youths, taking into confidence village councils and civil society groups including churches other measures that the district administration is mooting to undertake.
Reports of Satan worship across the state including some arrests of persons indulging in such practices have generated alarm bells amongst citizens causing the government to react promptly.
