By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The family of businessman Tremlin Nongsiej of Mawryngkang village, Mawsynram, who was the victim of a mob attack on Monday night following allegations of practicing witchcraft, has agreed on a ‘compromise’ after being persuaded by members of the peace committee.
The members of the Peace Committee on Wednesday led by its president Hunroy Nongsiej called on the affected family and expressed their concern over the unwarranted incident which had taken place on account of the superstitious beliefs of the villagers.
“The peace committee which was formed to restore normalcy in the area has managed to convince the family of Tremlin Nongsiej to arrive at a compromise,” said Additional Deputy Magistrate (ADM) DM Wahlang, who is also a member of the committee.
He said that affected family was ready to forgive all those villagers who were involved in destruction of their property worth crores of rupees which included a two-storied residential building and several vehicles.
“The affected family does not want to drag this issue further. They want to put an end to all this with a strong belief that this kind of unwarranted incident should not be repeated in future,” Wahlang said.
Meanwhile, the ADM informed that the peace committee would hold a meeting on Saturday at St. Fernando School, Sawsymper, to sensitize and create awareness among the villagers against superstitious beliefs to prevent any such incident in future.
“We would also warn the villagers that they should not take the law into their own hands,” Wahlang said.
Earlier on Monday night, around four thousand villagers hailing from various villages within Sawymper area in East Khasi Hills had attacked and set on fire the two-storied residential building of Tremlin Nongsiej after alleging him of practicing witchcraft.
19 people including a woman had been arrested in connection with the mob violence.
