SHILLONG: Pynthor headman Batskhem Sten has admitted that the women’s group that had assaulted the three girls had committed a “blunder” and that they were “furious” and acted “in the heat of the moment”.
The girls were alleged to have indulged in anti-social activities.
A statement from Sten said that around 12:30 am on September 12, the women had at first caught two girls who signed an agreement to refrain from committing anti-social activities in the presence of traditional heads of Pynthor.
Counsellors of an NGO were also present when the agreement was signed.
Sten also gave reporters a copy of the undertaking signed by the two girls on September 12 to attend a training programme provided by the NGO.
The girls agreed to complete the full course of the training programme failing which the Seng Longkmie of Pynthor area shall take immediate action.
The NGO also agreed to submit the attending report to the Dorbar Shnong regularly.
“However, on September 14, the women’s group caught hold of four other persons besides the two girls who were caught earlier,” Sten said.
According to him, the women’s group was angered as the same girls who were caught earlier had brought along accomplices on September 14.
However, Sten claimed that the police arrived at 5 am despite being called several times as there were many cases.
On September 23, there was a meeting with the headman, assistant headman and secretary of Pynthor along with the NGO in which they resolved that an awareness campaign will be conducted for the residents.
Sten expressed shock over the FIR filed by CSWO president, Agnes Kharshiing against the women’s group that assaulted the girls.
“We understand that the women committed a blunder, but then why is there a need to protect or support persons who walk late at night in a different place at a time when the women’s groups are concerned of the place’s security and the society as a whole?” he asked.
The Dorbar Shnong Pynthor has maintained that several cases of drug abuse at Pynthorbah have prompted the Seng Longkmie Pynthorbah to take steps to check the menace by patrolling the streets from September 8.
Sten gave reporters a list of cases of substance abuse reported in Pynthor. The statement mentioned that substance abuse has been high since 2015-16.
Further, the women groups would start the night patrol from 11 pm till 2 pm. However, he would inform the police of the night patrol by women.
Sten said the medical expenses of the girls will be borne by the Dorbar Shnong.
CSWO writes to Women’s panel
The CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing on Tuesday wrote to the Meghalaya State Commission for Women on the assault and cutting of hair of three girls at Pynthor.
The CSWO sought action against the members of Seng Kynthei of Pynthor in this regard.
Kharshiing said that it was a clear case of violation of human rights,
According to the letter, the women who posed as a vigilante group created terror acts which will not at all be helpful for a safe and secure society and is condemnable.
“As suggestive measures to curb such incidents in future, it is required that the Women Commission take up the matter with the state government and the State Police with regards to formulating strong laws against vigilante groups taking law into their hands as such acts may lead to unfortunate deaths when crowds are incited”, the letter said .
Victims file FIR
The three victims filed an FIR on Tuesday with Sadar police station seeking action against those involved in the crime of assaulting and harassing them.
According to the FIR, besides attack on them by the women’s group, some boys were also beaten up in the process.
The girls were beaten with a stick and one of the women used scissors to attack the girls.
Beside some women tonsured the hair of the girls outraging their modesty humiliating them in the presence of the people.
