By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 8: One Pynbeitlang Sohkhlet reportedly died by electrocution inside a cowshed with a chisel in his hand, giving rise to suspicion that he was electrocuted to death during a cattle theft bid at Mylliem Mawwan in East Khasi Hills.
Police have registered an unnatural death (UD) case in connection with the incident.
Sohkhlet, a repeat offender from Laitlyngkot, was involved in theft cases, police confirmed on Wednesday. However, an investigation is ongoing to determine whether his death occurred during an attempted theft.
The body of the deceased was discovered early in the morning of October 2 by the owner of the cowshed, Staibon Nongdhar, who immediately informed the members of the village dorbar and the personnel of Mawngap police station. Police said that they received information on October 2 at around 7.26 a.m. about an unidentified male body found lying beside the cowshed at Mylliem Mawwan.
Upon reaching the scene, police carried out a preliminary investigation and later identified the deceased as Sohkhlet after contacting the Pynursla Police Station.
During the inquiry, the cowshed owner told the police that when she went outside at around 5.45 a.m., she found the body of a man lying near the cowshed, holding a chisel in his left hand and a tar (rope) in his right hand.
Earlier, the owner of the cowshed clarified that the electric current supplied to the cowshed was a safety measure, not intended to harm anyone.
She explained that she had installed an electric connection for lighting and security purposes following a series of cattle theft incidents in the locality, as thieves had recently targeted the area. An inquest and post-mortem examination were conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death. After completion of the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the mother of the deceased, police added.
