SHILLONG: Kynpham N Syiem, the elder brother of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM), P N Syiem, was stabbed by assailants on Wednesday night at around 10- 10: 30 pm at Dangar, a border area in Mawsynram constituency.
There are contradictions on the number of people involved in the crime as police said that three people were behind the attack. Relatives, however, said that there were only two people involved.
Meghalaya police website named Kyllang Thongni as the one who stabbed Syiem with a sharp weapon at Dangar.
A case has been registered and booked under Section 307 of IPC (attempt to murder), Section 326 of IPC (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), Section 34 IPC (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
Speaking to reporters in Woodland Hospital K.N. Syiem named the attackers as Pusterwell Disiar and Kyllang Thongni who, he alleged, are supporters of Congress.
Narrating the incident, Syiem said he was attacked while coming from the border areas. On the way he met the assailants who were waiting for him in a gypsy vehicle.
“It was pre-planned as they already had weapons with them. He got down from the vehicle to talk to them and asked his accomplices to remain in the vehicle. Seeing him getting down from the vehicle, the assailant without uttering a word took out sharp weapons to attack him,” he said.
In the attack, Kynpham received injuries on his face and his abdomen. “There are internal injuries,” he added.
He was admitted in the ICU but later taken to OT of the same hospital.
K.N. Syiem said that FIR had been filed by the family members and village Dorbar of Dangar had also done the same at the Dangar Police Outpost.
Expressing their confidence on the law, he said, “On our part, we will not seek revenge and we have cautioned our supporters to not resort to any violence.”
The family has condemned the attackers. “If they want anything, they should have spoken and not to resort to any violence. We have come to know that they are Congress supporters,” KN Syiem said.
Hitting out at the alleged poll rivalry, KN Syiem went on to add, “Let politics be politics. We have our free will to support whichever party we want to.”
It may be mentioned that PN Syiem is contesting from People’s Democratic Front (PDF). He was suspended from the Congress for alleged anti-party activities.
On the other hand, KN Syiem further informed that Kyllang Thongni was also involved in the murder of a driver of then Governor at Polo market during the 90s.
Second attempt on Kynpham
KN Syiem stated that it was on December 26, 2017 that the same attackers made a first failed attempt to attack him by making rile comments on the porch of his house.
When he came out of the house, they attacked him with rods but he was able to dodge their attack. However, no FIR was filed on that occasion.
Meanwhile, the SP (city) Spill Thamar said that Syiem who was with five others were attacked by a group of persons near St Peter’s Convent with sharp weapons.
Syiem sustained injuries on his abdomen and cheek. He was first referred to Dangar PHC and from there to Shillong Civil Hospital for further treatment. “He was later referred to Woodland Hospital in city where his condition remains critical”, Thamar said.
He said three names had figured as the accused who are absconding.
“We had conducted raid and search was also carried out. A direction was issued to Officer in Charge of Mawsynram for arresting the accused and a case was registered.
The official said all angles would be probed related to the incident. Asked on the matter of the incident, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Frederick R. Kharkongor said that no official complaint had been received so far but the police have informed the State Election Commission.
“Police are taking cognizance of this and they are beefing up security to prevent those kinds of incidents from happening. So the police are on the job. We would like to see that such kind of incidents do not happen which may vitiate the poll atmosphere,” he said. Asked, he said that it is yet to be establish whether it a personal or poll rivalry.