MAWKYRWAT: A group of people from different villages in Ri War area of South West Khasi Hills District have locked themselves in a house for the past two weeks holding prayers for the good health of the children while denying medical attention to them.
The prayers are being conducted in a house at Photjaud Tynrong village.
According to residents of Photjaud village, the group number around 50-60 including children have been together for two weeks, even eating and sleeping together. Most of them are children hailing from Manad, Lummawbah, Tynnai, Mawbidong and Photjaud villages.
“The group has teachers and elders from the Presbyterian Church and the Church of God,” a resident of Photjaud village told The Shillong Times.
There are concerns about the health and welfare of the people especially the children since they have been living together in an overcrowded house.
A woman, who brought her two children to the house for the prayers, said they eat only once or twice a day and that too when “God tells them”. She also informed that none of them was provided with medicines as they believe that “God knows his own children”.
“During the Assembly elections in February many people from these villages skipped voting because they were afraid that the voting machines were connected to Aadhaar and 666 (number of the Devil). After the elections, many of these villagers forced their children to stop going to school. All the children who are staying in the prayer house are drop outs,” a youth said.
Meanwhile, South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo informed that after receiving information that a group of people were holding incessant prayer meetings at Photjaud for the last many days without returning to their homes, the Additional DC and Additional SP went on a spot inquiry on May 26 to assess the situation, especially since it was reported that young children were amongst the group.
“Since the group is unwilling to move from the spot citing that they have not been divinely instructed to do so, and there are concerns about the health and hygiene, the district administration has sought the support of the village leaders and local church elders to try and speak to the leader of the gathering to disperse since the conditions appear to be congested and unhealthy,” she said, while adding that a number of people have already returned to their homes.
The DC also said that many local pastors have informed that the people are beyond the scope of reasoning, and hence the district administration has reached out to church elders, experts and social workers and formed a special outreach and intervention committee to look into the concerns of the people there and to understand the ramifications of this incident.“While there is no preventing of any person or group from exercising their freedom to religious practice, it should not put anyone at risk or bring about tensions of any kind. We are watchful for any signs of manipulation, coercion or practices that may have a negative psychological impact on the people,” Laloo said.
She further added that the district administration and police are keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure that there are no untoward incidents, no threat or manipulation of any kind and no physical or psychological harm to the children.
Laloo also informed that the staff and doctors from the office of the District Medical & Health Officer visited the site with the intention of giving medical checkup and medicines to the needy, but in vain as they were not cooperating.
“They refused to allow their children to be medically examined. It is a delicate situation. We will take action as required,” Laloo said, adding that the district administration will monitor the situation time and again.
