SHILLONG: A 38-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday for setting his wife on fire on Sunday.
Bestarwel Nongkhlaw, a resident of Mawshun village in Pynursla, was arrested after CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing on Wednesday filed an FIR and a case was registered.
Nongkhlaw has admitted to the crime.
East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak said on the night of March 24, the victim, Medilin Khongmawloh (36), and her friend Tulop Khongtyngkut were sitting in the former’s house and her 11-year-old daughter was also there.
Nongkhlaw returned home drunk and started arguing with his wife. During the altercation, Khongmawloh poured kerosene on herself and sat on the floor and started shouting at her husband to burn her alive.
The man took out his match box and set her on fire. On seeing the victim burning, Khongtyngkut ran away.
The deceased woman’s family was unwilling to report the matter to the police or proceed with the case and the body was buried on March 26.
According to Marak, local villagers were informed that she burnt herself and most of the villagers were unaware of the incident.
