SHILLONG: Police have detained eight members of a women’s organisation from a locality here on Tuesday evening in connection with the assault of three girls at Pynthor on September 14.
They were however released after identification.
The members of the Seng Longkmie of Pynthor were picked up by women police of Pasteur Beat House from the premises of the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission office based on an FIR lodged by Civil Society Women’s Organisation on September 24.
EKH SP Davis Marak confirmed that the eight women were detained for identification but were later released.
“Earlier, the three girls who were allegedly assaulted by the members of the Seng Longkmie of Pynthorbah locality on September 14 could not depose before the Meghalaya State Commission for Women as they are still undergoing treatment in the hospital and so the commission could not pursue the matter,” MSCW chairperson, Theilin Phanbuh said.
She further said the commission wanted to hear from the victims before recording the statement of the members of Seng Longkmie.
The Commission had summoned the members of the Seng Longkmie of the locality as well as the victims to its office on Tuesday.
“We would decide how to pursue the matter further after hearing both the parties,” Phanbuh said.
She further informed that they have taken up the case after the Manbha Foundation had filed a complaint with the Commission on behalf of the three girls.
The MSCW chairperson also said the Commission had to proceed cautiously since CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing had already filed an FIR with the police regarding the incident.
“We cannot interfere with court matters,” Phanbuh added.
The three girls were publicly assaulted when a group of women from the locality cut their hair besides beating them with a stick. The incident took place at 11.30 pm on September 14.
Based on a video clipping of the act, Kharshiing immediately lodged an FIR with the officer in charge of Pasteur Beat House, Polo Shillong.
