MAWKYRWAT, July 12: Nearly the entire population of Umpung village in Ranikor, South West Khasi Hills, took to the streets marching across the village localities on Tuesday to condemn the rape of a 20-month-old baby recently.
The villagers have demanded of the authorities to sternly punish the perpetrator of the gruesome crime.
Organised by Dorbar Shnong of Umpung, the mass rally witnessed the participation of schoolchildren, youths, men and women of the village along with members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Umpung Unit and KSU Ranikor Circle, Seng Samla Shnong Umpung, Seng Kynthei Umpung and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) Women’s Wing.
The participants carried placards condemning the rapist.
The rally commenced from the market place till Umngi bridge and then back to the starting point.
According to locals, one Spingdar Nongrem (41) from Umpung village, who is settled in another village, allegedly raped the baby, who was gravely injured and immediately taken to Ranikor Community Health Centre for treatment and later referred to Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong, for better treatment.
The crime was reportedly committed on July 7.
Moreover, Nongrem was reportedly caught and beaten up by the villagers. But he was saved from being seriously injured as the headman along with other leaders of the village intervened in the scene and handed him over to the police, which arrested the 41-year-old raped accused.
An FIR was file against the accused and a case has been registered.
Speaking at the meeting in Umpung village, Rangbah Shnong of Umpung Walleson Khardewsaw registered condemnation against the incident on behalf of the entire village while being hopeful that this is the first last case of such gruesome crime in the village.
Urging the villagers to discourage marriage of children below 18 years, the headman warned them that he will not hesitate to file FIR against offenders.
With the Seng Samla Shnong Umpung and Seng Kynthei Umpung blaming alcohol and use of other substances for incidence of crimes like rape, the headman called upon the local organisations including the KSU Umpung Unit to help the Dorbar in containing this problem.
President of the KSU Ranikor Circle, Marconi Thongni, on the other hand, reproached the authority concerned for the ‘inability’ to provide quick verdict on punishment for the culprits, which, according to him, has inspired other criminals to continue committing the crime.
