By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 7: Hundreds of people took out a rally from near the Horticulture Office in Mairang to Dommawlum on Monday to condemn the recent murder of 27-year-old Phyrnailin Kharsyntiew by her former boyfriend, Roberto Marngar, at the Pyndengumiong parking lot in Mairang.
Phyrnailin, originally from Mawkhap Khwa, was an active choir member of the Presbyterian Church in her village. She was reportedly trying to end her relationship with 25-year-old Roberto due to his increasingly suspicious and controlling behaviour.
According to her elder brother Tisherlang Kharsyntiew, Roberto had become possessive and suspicious of Phyrnailin’s interactions with her music classmates in Mairang, which made her consider bringing an end to the relationship around four months ago.
However, Roberto allegedly threatened to defame her. Worried, the woman informed her father about the threats.
On the day of murder, her father accompanied her as she went to meet the accused at the parking lot. The father was walking slightly ahead when the accused attacked Phyrnailin from behind, slitting her throat in full public view.
The grievously injured victim was rushed to the Mairang Civil Hospital but she succumbed to her injuries soon after.
Monday’s rally was organised by Wahrit Pyllun and attended by local traditional leaders, members of the Kharsyntiew clan, schoolchildren, members of pressure groups and residents from the greater Mairang area. The participants shouted slogans demanding life imprisonment for Roberto.
Addressing the gathering, Pariong-Mawthadraishan MDC Powel Sohkhlet said the rally must not end with the chanting of slogans and the display of placards.
“We must collectively reflect on the disturbing incidents plaguing our society,” he said, calling for community-wide awareness, counseling, and preventive measures.
He reminded the gathering that this was not the first such incident and cited similar incidents which occurred in Langtor and Umthngied in the past.
“What happened to Phyrnailin is heartbreaking. I was shocked. How could someone kill the very person they claimed to love?” Sohkhlet wondered.
Calling upon traditional bodies, youth and women’s organisations to lead a movement against such violence, he said it is time society stopped being a silent spectator.
“We must speak out and collectively condemn what happened. It is unfortunate that our society has become so fragmented. We now rarely see elders sharing spiritual and moral guidance with the younger generation,” Sohkhlet lamented.
He stressed the importance of reviving traditional values and morals, adding that families and communities must play a more active role in educating the youth. He further suggested that parents should guide their children in understanding appropriate boundaries in relationships.
“This tragic incident should serve as a wake-up call,” he said, urging churches to take the lead in educating youth to act responsibly and avoid paths that lead to violence and destruction.