By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 15: Several organisations, pressure groups and political parties, have expressed grave concern over the alleged murder of four-year-old Insaphira Lyngdoh Mawnai of Nongrah Nonglum and urged the police to immediately arrest those involved and ensure strict punishment.
Expressing outrage over the crime, the Meghalaya BJP said, “Death of any human being is tragic; the death of a four-year-old under mysterious circumstances is heart-wrenching. Every member of the state BJP stands by the bereaved family in their hour of insurmountable grief.”
The BJP said that while the circumstances of her disappearance and subsequent recovery of her body raise certain questions, the party retains full faith in the Meghalaya Police and its ability to uncover the truth.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) condemned the “brutal murder” of the four-year-old girl.
“This horrific incident has shaken the conscience of our society and left the entire community in grief and anger. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family in this darkest hour. The killing of an innocent child raises grave questions about the safety and security of our people, even within the supposed safety of their own homes and doorsteps,” the MPYC said in a statement.
The Youth Congress also urged the government to treat crimes against women and children as a top priority, not as routine cases, strengthen policing, especially in vulnerable areas, and set up special child protection units, work with Dorbar Shnongs and community bodies to create local safety networks, launch sustained awareness and vigilance campaigns to protect children and women, and ensure fast-track courts for crimes against women and children so that justice is not delayed.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) also strongly condemned the crime. Its president, Joplyn Scott Shylla, said, “Such a heinous crime against an innocent child has deeply shocked and saddened the people of Meghalaya. We express our deepest condolences to the grieving family and stand in solidarity with them in their time of unimaginable loss.”
Shylla said the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the growing violence and crimes across the state. She urged the government to take urgent steps to restore law and order. “While music and entertainment events have their place, the government must not lose sight of its foremost duty—to protect its citizens, especially the most vulnerable,” she said.
The KSU Nongthymmai Circle strongly condemned the brutal act and urged the police to take swift and decisive action by conducting a thorough investigation to identify and arrest the culprit(s) responsible for this heinous crime.
The KSU stressed the need for prompt action, similar to what was done in the Sonam and Raja case, to restore peace and a sense of security in the Hynniewtrep land. Furthermore, the KSU warned that if such crimes can happen in Nongrah, they could easily spread to other villages and areas across the Hynniewtrep land.
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) demanded that the state government institute a special probe into the case. In a statement, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem urged elected representatives and legislators to take the matter seriously.
“We want the police to immediately arrest those involved and take stringent action as per the provisions of the law,” he said.
Describing the incident as shocking and enraging, Synrem added, “We are deeply saddened and enraged to witness such heinous crimes taking place. This is something we cannot and will not accept.”
He further cautioned the government against complacency. “It is the duty of the government and its agencies to guarantee full protection to the lives and property of its citizens. If the government fails to arrest and punish the perpetrators, it only means that it is complicit in allowing such crimes to flourish,” he said.
The Association of Niamtre Students and Sein Niamtre Ki Khynnah Purea Shillong also condemned the killing. Association’s general secretary, Teinam Dkhar said the incident has left the community in grief and anger.
“A defenseless child was snatched from her home on the morning of September 14 and found dead the next day just 300 meters away, buried under construction debris. This was not an accident; it was a heinous, premeditated act of violence that has shaken our community,” he said.
Calling it a collective failure, the association general secretary demanded a swift and transparent investigation with the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. “
As youth who uphold truth, life, and communal harmony, we condemn this atrocity in the strongest terms. This is not just a loss for Insaphira’s family—it is a failure of our collective duty to protect the innocent,” Dkhar stated.
The Central Puja Committee said expressed shock and anguish.
“This heinous and inhuman act is highly condemnable and law enforcing authorities are requested to take exemplary action against perpetrators of the crime to deter reoccurrence in future,” the CPC said, while expressing its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
The Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Shillong, also expressed shock over the gruesome killing.
“We sincerely hope that perpetrator(s) of this diabolic crime are brought to book soon and given exemplary punishment so as to prevent such inhuman incidences in future. The Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Shillong joins hands with others and offers the deepest condolences to grief stricken family of Insaphira Lyngdoh Mawlein,” it said in a statement.
