SHILLONG, Aug 16: A farmer who had reportedly gone missing was found dead in the city, and albeit some media reports hinted at foul play, police have dismissed such claims. The police have registered an unnatural death case.
The deceased is Rishad Sing Kharmutee, a ginger farmer from Mawdiangdiang, New Shillong Township.
It may be noted that Kharmutee was earlier on August 12 reported as missing by his younger brother Teiborlang Kharmutee through a complaint registered with Cantonment Beat House.
According to Teiborlang, his brother was missing since 5 pm of August 11, and was last seen at Tynring Bus Stand, Iewduh.
Subsequently, Sadar PS received information on August 14 from Cantonment Beat House that a body was found in a drain at Boucher Road, Shillong, that evening. “Thereafter, the body was shifted to Civil Hospital Shillong for identification for post-mortem examination. On the same evening, the dead body was identified by the family members to be that of the missing person,” police said.
The East Khasi Hills district police chief, Sylvester Nongtnger, in a statement on Wednesday said that the police went all out looking for the missing person; even conducted a search for the missing person in and around the jurisdiction of Cantonment Beat House and adjoining areas but Rishad Sing Kharmutee could not be found.
On Tuesday, post-mortem examination over the dead body was conducted at Shillong Civil Hospital, Shillong.
No eye was gouged out, police said, dismissing claims by some media reports. It was declared that there were no external or internal injuries on the body.
“It was found that he had Ecehymosis of the heart and samples have been sent to FSL (forensic science lab) for analysis. A UD (unnatural death) Case is registered at Shillong Sadar Police Station and a thorough enquiry is on to ascertain more facts in the case,” the SP said.
KSU general secretary, Donald V Thabah, meanwhile, has urged the police to speed up the investigation to find out if Kharmutee was really murdered.
According to Thabah, the manner in which Kharmutee’s body was found looked suspicious.
Recalling previous incidents, the KUS leader said that a youth from Mawiong was allegedly assaulted in December of 2021 while he was en route to Them Bijoy from Shillong Civil Hospital by a group of miscreants.
After the assault, the youth was left at the spot in an unconscious state, he said, adding that he was later shifted to Shillong Civil Hospital by some good Samaritans.
Meanwhile, HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin has asked the police to take the matter seriously and arrest the culprits alleged to have been involved in the case.
“This kind of incident has been happening every now and then. We feel that an SIT needs to investigate this case,” Kharjahrin said.
The HYC president also requested eye witnesses, if any, or anybody with knowledge of the incident to come forward and help justice be served.
