MAWKYRWAT, May 17: A group of miscreants attacked a 56-year-old cattle trader from Sakwang village, five kilometres from Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills, and looted the man for all his possession on the outskirts of Pynden Sakwang village.
Police informed that the incident happened on Saturday between 6:30 and 6:45 pm when the victim, identified as Natsparland Ramsiej was returning from Mawkyrwat.
Speaking about the incident, Ramsiej said that he had left Mawkyrwat around 6 pm on foot. After crossing the bridge at Mawpon, a person followed him but he did not suspect that any harm would befall him as the road is safe. On the way, he found another person on the roadside and when he spoken to, he informed he was waiting for some friends who are still fishing.
On reaching Pynden Sakwang, he stumbled upon a third person but this time he was attacked by the third person and the other two, who he had met earlier, as well. He fought back and ran at the same time, nonetheless they snatched his bag.
The episode was not over as the three men returned to attack him with woods and sticks to the point where he was severely injured and his money, worth around Rs.40,000, being looted.
Frightened he might be attacked again, Ramsiej fled to a football field and met some people who helped him.
Later, the victim along with others went to the Mawkyrwat Police Station to register a police complaint. Following this, the man was shifted to Mawkyrwat CHC for treatment.
Besides money, Ramsiej also lost everything that he put in the bag including an eyeglass, Kotbah (Bible book), Kot Jingrwai (Christian Hymn Book), a register to keep record of his business, his EPIC among other things. Despite being injured badly, Ramsiej was not admitted to the hospital.Police informed that a case had been registered and investigation is on to arrest the culprits.
Meanwhile, the Headman of Dorbar Shnong of Pynden Sakwang village, Arness Lyngdoh, condemned the attack on the cattle trader while also urged the police to take the matter seriously as it has created a fear psychosis among the general public, especially women and schoolchildren, who pass through the road daily. He assured his cooperation to the police to nab the miscreants.