NONGPOH, July 29: A 41-year-old man, identified as Dlas Shadap, husband of Iunika Bamon from Umshangktad—a border village in Ri-Bhoi—was brutally assaulted by unidentified miscreants in the courtyard of his residence. The assailants, whose identities remain unknown, left the victim severely injured and unconscious, bleeding profusely from the head and chest.
According to information received, the incident occurred on the early morning of July 26.
The victim was discovered around 4 AM by his wife, who had been sleeping inside the house. Shockingly, she claimed she had not heard anything unusual during the night.
Upon waking, she noticed their child was unwell and, when stepping outside, found her husband lying in a pool of blood and immediately alerted family members.
She informed authorities that her husband had consumed alcohol the previous evening, and a few acquaintances had brought him home. During that time, she and her elder brother were also present. After dinner, her husband allegedly misbehaved with her, following which she went to sleep in a separate room.
She maintained that she was unaware of any altercation or assault during the night, only discovering his condition the following morning. Family members have alleged that the victim had a history of disputes with his wife’s family, who had reportedly been against their marriage from the beginning.
Dlas’s younger brother, Plas Shadap, stated that around 5 am on July 26, he was informed by his brother-in-law that Dlas had been found unconscious. He immediately notified the Mawlasnai Police Outpost and rushed the victim to the Bhoirymbong CHC. Due to the severity of the head and chest injuries, doctors referred him to NEIGRIHMS in Shillong, where he remains in critical condition in the ICU, still unconscious.
The family has demanded a thorough investigation and swift action by the police to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. “This was a deliberate act of violence, an attempt to take his life,” said Plas. He added that the family has already filed an FIR at the Mawlasnai Police Outpost and continues to follow up with the police, who contacted them again on July 29 for updates on the victim’s condition.
Umshangktad Headman Batskhem Sohtun stated that the village authorities want clarity on the circumstances leading to the brutal attack. He expressed concern that since police took the victim for treatment, they have not returned to the village to investigate further.
The headman also alleged a history of violence involving the victim’s wife. A few months earlier, she reportedly assaulted him and even attempted to kill him. He said that following that incident, the village had advised Dlas to leave the household as it was deemed unsafe for him. He added that the woman’s family has a record of creating disturbances in the village.
According to the Headman, the victim’s wife had earlier been involved in the death of her 80-year-old mother under suspicious circumstances. “This woman has been a source of constant fear and disruption in our village. Just recently, she threatened to stone another woman here,” he said.
The village council has strongly condemned the repeated acts of violence and threats allegedly made by the woman, saying her actions have created unrest among villagers. If the investigation confirms that the woman or her family were involved, the village will take a formal decision to evict them, as they have repeatedly caused trouble in the past.
The headman urged law enforcement authorities to intensify their investigation and identify all individuals involved in the attack.
