Autopsy of victim to be conducted after exhumation, says EKH SP
SHILLONG, May 15: The father of 27-year-old Trophimos Khongmawloh has appealed to the authorities to ensure justice and punish those allegedly involved in the death of his son at Pynter village under Pynursla in East Khasi Hills district.
Speaking to media persons here on Friday, the victim’s father, Netnobiweit Khongsdoh, alleged that he found his son’s head covered in blood when he went to see the body after the incident.
According to him, an FIR was lodged at Sadar Police Station in Shillong on May 8, alleging that his son was assaulted to death inside the community dorbar hall of Pynter village on the night of April 7, 2026.
The complaint alleged that the assault was carried out under the supervision of the Rangbah Shnong of Pynter village, Fullmoon Khongsdoh, along with members of the Village Defence Party (VDP).
Khongsdoh further alleged that after the incident, his son’s body was wrapped in a foam sheet and kept at the deceased’s residence until April 8. He claimed that when he went to see the body, he noticed that his son’s head was soaked in blood.
The father also stated that villagers had initially informed the family that the deceased had died after allegedly consuming poisonous insects. However, he said he found the claim difficult to believe after watching a video clip related to the incident, which allegedly showed his son being brutally assaulted.
The case came to light after the victim’s father lodged a Zero FIR at Sadar Police Station on May 5. Copies of the FIR were reportedly forwarded to the Superintendent of Police of East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem, on May 6 and to the Officer-in-Charge of Pynursla Police Station on May 8.
The 59-second video clip, which has since circulated widely on social media, allegedly shows a young man being physically assaulted inside a room.
According to the FIR, members of the VDP had brought the body to the family residence on the morning of April 8. The complainant further alleged that the body was wrapped in a foam sheet when it was brought home and that the deceased was buried on April 9 without allowing family members to pay their final respects.
Claiming that he was not permitted to see his son’s face for the last time, he alleged that the coffin had been sealed by the village headman.
After the video clip purportedly showing the assault surfaced on social media, the father came to suspect that his son may have died as a result of severe physical assault. He stated that it was only after viewing the video that he decided to formally approach the police.
Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem told reporters on Friday that all 11 persons, including the Rangbah Shnong and members of the VDP, have obtained anticipatory bail.
He also informed that he had asked the Officer-in-Charge of Pynursla Police Station to submit a report on whether there were any medical records related to the incident at the Community Health Centre in Pynursla.
The SP further stated that a preliminary inquiry suggested there had been an altercation involving the victim, VDP members and villagers inside a house before the alleged assault occurred.
Referring to allegations that the family had asked the Dorbar Shnong and VDP to discipline the victim, Syiem said even if such claims were true, no one could take the law into their own hands.
On repeated allegations against VDP members in different incidents, the SP said police have been conducting awareness programmes and meetings with village authorities and VDPs, advising them not to take the law into their own hands and instead inform the police.
“In this case also, I was informed about the matter only after the FIR was lodged on May 5,” he said.
Syiem further informed that permission has been obtained from the court for exhumation of the body and that the date for the process would be fixed by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) of Pynursla Civil Sub-Division.
He said a post-mortem examination would be conducted after exhumation.
Police have registered a murder case and an investigation is under way to determine whether the victim died due to injuries allegedly sustained during the assault.
