By Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh
These incidents or murder along with others that have occurred in recent weeks, reflect that Shillong is no longer a safe place. The two murders in Nongrah and the killing of a young girl in Ri Bhoi have sent shock-waves through the community, making our hair stand on end and sending shivers down our spines. Insecurity is mounting and parents of toddlers and young children are becoming increasingly wary of the safety and security of their wards.
The Merciless Killing of Two Children: The sorrow felt by Insaphira’s family in Nongrah remains fresh, yet tragedy struck again in Lum Marboh, with the brutal murder of a 7-year-old boy named Kyrshanbor, an orphan living with his “meiheh” (elder aunt).
The question has arisen, and the public has every reason to seek answers regarding the sequence of events that led to the merciless killings of these two innocent children. Are there similarities between the two murders? Did the perpetrators act on someone’s behalf, or are they “Nongbehnong” or hired killers? Did these killers conduct a reconnaissance of the locality before committing the crimes? Or are there other motives at play?
Although these crimes occurred several weeks apart, they happened swiftly and within a split second both children disappeared from their homes only to be found dead the next morning outside their homes. These two incidents have caused widespread shock and disbelief across the city. The people of Shillong are enraged by these despicable acts and any news of kidnapping or missing children causes them to burst into anger. However, the police have stated that in Insaphira’s case, a 13-year-old boy who was in juvenile custody is the sole perpetrator. On the other hand, Kyrshanbor’s relatives have expressed concern about the manner of his death, believing he may have suffered a painful death and they feel it is beyond the scope of a homicide. They have called on the authorities to investigate the case thoroughly.
Are these Murders Committed by “Menshohnoh”?
This is one of the most challenging questions to answer, as there is no concrete evidence to substantiate the existence of individuals known as “Nongbehnong.” Both “Menshohnoh and Nongbehnong” are terms used interchangeably within Khasi folklore. These entities are loosely translated as “hired killers” and folklore describes them as performing heinous acts such as kidnapping or capturing people to be handed over to “nongri thlen,” or keeper of a blood thirsty serpent.
According to these stories, before committing such acts, “Nongbehnong” would consume an intoxicant made from a traditional brew called “ka kyiad tang snem,” which has been stored for ages. Once under its influence, these individuals are said to be fearless, fixating their gaze on their target, completing their task swiftly and leaving no trace of the crime, making it impossible to prove any wrongdoing.
The concept of “U Thlen” is as old as civilization itself, deeply embedded in the community’s folklore and oral traditions. “U Thlen” is described as a malevolent, blood thirsty serpent spirit that demands human sacrifices for wealth and power. Perhaps, those who rear it are believed to feed it with human blood or sacrifices until it is satiated. These stories are seemingly inexplicable, but they occupy a central place in Khasi indigenous belief systems.
The recent tragic murders of two innocent children have renewed discussions around the notions of “u Thlen”, “Menshohnoh”, and “Nongbehnong”. It is important to note that there is currently no scientific evidence to prove the existence of “u Thlen” or these figures. Nonetheless, the fears and apprehensions of the general public cannot be dismissed outright. These issues warrant in-depth study, analysis and informed dialogue among elders, youth, women, thinkers and community leaders.
Historically, there have been instances where suspicion of “Menshohnoh” led to mob actions, such as burning houses or assaulting individuals based solely on suspicion. These acts were morally wrong and illegal. No house should be destroyed, nor should anyone be harmed based on mere suspicion. Legal procedures must be followed and proof must be established.
Recently, during a press briefing, the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills clarified that the murders of children, including that of Insaphira, cannot be attributed to “Menshohnoh”, as initial investigations suggest the motive was a dispute over a biscuit between the killer and the victim. The police are still investigating the case involving Kyrshanbor and have yet to arrest the perpetrator.
Despite the lack of scientific proof, it is an undeniable fact that some individuals believe they can gain wealth through the suffering or death of others. Today’s world still witnesses individuals who profit from conflict, such as arms dealers, those who exploit communal tensions and profiteers during natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Exploitation of the poor and labourers for personal gain persist, thereby highlighting the ongoing reality of greed and moral corruption.
The Home Minister and His Dark Humour
Humour brings laughter and is believed to be beneficial for health. However, there is another aspect to humour known as dark humour. Dark humour involves making light of taboo or sensitive topics such as death, illness or tragedy. While dark humour can foster catharsis and challenge societal norms, it also risks offending and alienating others.
With due respect, the current Home Minister of the State is popular for cracking jokes in public gatherings. However, many of his jokes are found to be offensive and insensitive, despite people bursting into laughter while hearing them. If we trace his statements from the time of COVID-19 through the electioneering period, we find that the Home Minister shared jokes that were offensive and showed insensitivity to the suffering of the people. When COVID-19 first hit the state, many of us were extremely worried and apprehensive about poverty, unemployment and the possibility of severe economic hardships. Instead of offering reassurance, the Minister derided the people with irresponsible statements, such as claiming that the poor could eat only rice and vegetables.
His latest statement was regarding the death of Kyrshanbor, which he blamed on the public for merely criticizing the government. He suggested that it is the responsibility of parents to take care of their children and implied that if a child is hurt, kidnapped or even killed, it is the parents’ fault or irresponsibility. Such a statement is utterly disrespectful to the family of the victim. It indicates that he seemingly does not care to address the gruesome murder of a 7-year-old boy and is implying that the state is shirking its core duty of providing security to its citizens.
Let us assume that every parent takes his advice to heart. However, a significant problem exists in an unequal society. Wealthier parents, officers and those with societal status have all the time and resources to ensure their children’s security by providing personal guards etc, to escort them to school or piano lessons. But what about those who are poor and cannot afford help? They often have to leave their children inside the house throughout the day with no one to tend to them. These children live in favela-like surroundings and are vulnerable to many types of crimes and dangers. In fact, no one blames the government or the state. However, in a democracy, it is the primary duty of the state to ensure that citizens live in a secure and peaceful environment.
Has the Law been Ineffectively Implemented?
Laws are already in place to prevent crime and to punish wrongdoers. There is an established judicial system with the authority to arbitrate and pronounce penalties on the guilty. However, the rise in crime and murders suggests that the implementation of these laws may be ineffective. It is reported that Meghalaya has one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, with around 10 percent of those convicted or arrested without a conviction being rearrested in the future. Perhaps many criminals are not afraid of the law or law enforcement because they believe they have protection or are riding high on the concept of “Ha Ri Lajong leh katba mon”, doing what one feels like in one’s own place.
The Dorbar Shnong and the Battle Ahead: While I commend the efforts of the Dorbar Shnong, the residents of Nongrah, Umpling and the police team for their diligent work, every Dorbar Shnong is now battling several pressing issues. These include the menace of drug addiction, crimes such as assault and offences against women, as well as the ongoing fight against the unknown, cruel murderers who are creating fear among the masses. But what remains is for the police to immediately arrest those responsible for Kyrshanbor’s murder and ensure justice is served to the departed souls.
Case of Missing Girls: In the age of social media, rumours and unfounded stories spread rapidly. This is dangerous and must be addressed carefully. The reported cases of two teenage girls missing from Umpling and Mawlai, respectively, should be treated as separate incidents and not necessarily linked to other crimes. These young girls may be going through personal struggles and experimentation in life, but they can be given professional counselling and societal support, in addition to the support of their parents. Society must learn to respect and protect children and women at all costs.
