SHILLONG: A three-week-old baby died after a hardened criminal allegedly snatched the baby from a house and left it in a bucket at Mission Compound area in the city.
East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak said the incident occurred early Tuesday morning around 2.30 am when a man, whose face was covered, forcefully broke into a house at Mission Compound, assaulted the mother and snatched her baby before escaping.
The family informed the police who conducted a thorough search for the infant only to find it dumped in a bucket.
As per the police official, the baby was still alive when it was found but succumbed on the way to the hospital.
The accused was arrested later in the evening.
Reacting to a query, the district police chief said the bucket contained water and the baby may have died from to exposure to the cold water. He, however, added that the postmortem report will clear the air on the exact cause of the baby’s death.
Sources informed that the accused is a hardened criminal with several cases registered against his name.
Meanwhile, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) chairperson Meena Kharkongor has condemned the incident and asked the police to deny bail to the accused.
The Durbar Shnong Mission Compound also extended its condolence to the family and while condemning the ‘dastardly act’, asked the law agencies to pursue the matter till the very end.
The KHNAM youth wing and KHNAM Mission Compound unit also condemned the act and conveyed its condolence to the bereaved family.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing also condemned the incident and asked the police to follow the matter vigorously.
