SHILLONG, Oct 14: A 35-year-old mentally challenged man, identified as Arnikstar Rytathiang, was rescued by personnel of the Special Operation Team (SOT) and DSP (Operations) from an enraged mob at Kynroh Nongbri village in East Khasi Hills on Monday night.
According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP), Vivek Syiem, the angry mob wanted to lynch the victim (who was undergoing treatment at MIMHANS) as they suspected him to be a menshohnoh (a mythical blood-sucking creature in local belief).
The SP said the police received information around 9 pm from the Sordar of Krang Nongrum that a man was wandering aimlessly and had been detained at the Kynroh Nongbri community hall.
He said that the Sohiong Police Outpost in-charge and his team was immediately rushed to the spot for verification.
Upon arrival, police found the victim, a resident of Rio Mawthlong village in Eastern West Khasi Hills district, being held in the community hall under the watch of village elders and the Sordar of Umthlong village. Outside, an angry mob had gathered, pelting stones and shouting threats to lynch the man.
The police team, with assistance from the SOT, managed to safely extract the victim from the hall and disperse the crowd. Ryntathiang was later taken to Sohiong CHC for medical examination, where the attending Medical Officer (MO) reported that he receive minor injuries.
A case has been registered at Mawngap Police Station for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
