NONGPOH, Sep 27: As preparations were under way to bid adieu to a 19-year-old girl from Iewmawlong village, allegedly murdered by her husband on Monday, scores of people including the pressure group leaders on Tuesday gathered at Nongpoh Civil Hospital, where her post-mortem was being conducted. Her mortal remains were laid to rest at the cemetery of Iewmawlong in Ri-Bhoi on Tuesday.
Nineteen-year-old Nisha Nongbet was allegedly murdered by her husband identified as Dil Bahadur Thapa of Sarkang village in broad day light on the road of Pahamsyiem village around 10 am on Monday while she was on her way to work. The accused had reportedly slit the throat of the deceased and then stabbed her in the stomach before fleeing from the scene.
Expressing concern, Iewmawlong village Headman Vicky Syngkli said the family of the deceased has been facing many trials — firstly, the mother passed away, then the younger sibling in her family went missing; despite police and the village’s efforts, she could not be traced till date.
The headman, on behalf of the Dorbar Shnong, has condemned the crime and sought stern action against culprit.
On the sidelines, the Iewmawlong Dorbar has also warned that any girl marrying a non-Khasi will not be allowed to stay in the village. He recalled that the decision was taken in 2014 by the Dorbar Shnong along with the villagers.
The headman has also advised other young girls and others in the village to thoroughly judge and examine the person whom they have the intention of marrying.
In this regard, Syngkli has urged the headmen from other adjoining villages as well as the pressure groups and the public at large to extend their support to the Dorbar Shnong in order to safeguard the people and prevent such crimes from happening in the near future.
Meanwhile, leaders of four pressure groups — Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) — in an urgent meeting on Tuesday formed a joint action committee to protest against the gruesome murder of the young girl and to seek justice from the concerned authority.
Committee’s president and secretary, Baiashanlang Kharshanlor and Aristone Ryndongsngi respectively, informed media persons that the committee will take out a public rally from 2 pm on September 30. The rally will begin from Iewmawlong village and culminate at Nongpoh Town Shopping Complex and will be followed by a candlelight vigil to express their solidarity with the family of the deceased.
