NONGSTOIN: The headman led villagers and NGOs in Mawliehbah Mawnar, West Khasi Hills, as they took to the streets to protest against the brutal killing of one Moris Marngar, who was buried alive by his kin at Nongdisong village, for allegedly practising witchcraft, recently.
At one end while the protests raged in the streets of Mawliehbah Mawnar, the police, on the other, arrested another two persons, who were suspected to be the prime instigators in the case.
As the protest rally marched ahead, villagers were seen displaying placards and black flags, demanding of the authority not to grant bail to the culprits. The rally was organised by Dorbar Shnong of Mawliehbah Mawnar that culminated at Marngar’s residence.
Sylvestar Ryntong, village secretary of Nongryntong, said “We are saddened about the incident in which an innocent life was lost by being buried alive over superstitious beliefs. We have been mocked by people due to this incident”.
Marngar’s death was a tragedy that cannot be accepted by the society, he said, while urging the public, NGOs and village leaders to ensure that such an incident does not occur anew.
Meanwhile, headman of Mawliehbah Mawnar, BS Roy Nongphud, appealed to the people to overcome such superstitious beliefs, while calling the incident as savagery.
Two held
Two more people — Sildaris Marngar (21) and her mother, Ephrilda Marngar (54) — hailing from Nongdisong village and suspected to be the prime instigators in the case, were on Friday arrested.
Source from West Khasi Hills Police informed that after the arrest of as many as 21 persons in connection with the incident at Nongdisong village, the police were relentlessly searching for the duo which was absconding.
It was also informed that on conducting check-up, the doctor found that Sildaris’s, the niece of the deceased, health condition was normal and she did not suffer from any disease.
It has been suspected that there might have been personal reasons which drove Sildaris to allegedly play a part in the crime. Nonetheless, ongoing investigation will reveal the truth.