SHILLONG, June 18: Growing up amidst abject poverty in South West Khasi Hills, Simanta Hajong (21) and Prinomi Hajong (22), a young couple bound by love and shared struggles, left their impoverished villages in search of dignity and a stable livelihood in Shillong. Tragically, their journey ended in heartbreak on June 14, leaving behind devastated families, unanswered questions, and a profound sense of loss.
Their bodies were discovered on Sunday morning inside a small roadside shed at Lumsohphoh, Nongthymmai. Police have described the deaths as a suspected case of partial hanging, but relatives and fellow villagers are deeply unconvinced. The grief-stricken families are now pleading for a thorough, impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind this tragedy.
Simanta and Prinomi came from humble backgrounds under the Ranikor Community and Rural Development Block. Simanta, the only son of his widowed mother in Munaisora village, carried the weight of his family after his father’s passing years ago.
Prinomi, from Mawshaliah village, was the second of three daughters. Having lost her mother early, she was raised by her father alongside her sisters. Neither had the chance to complete their schooling; crushing poverty pushed them toward Shillong in hope of supporting their loved ones.
The tragedy has hit both families like a storm. Simanta’s mother, in her late fifties, collapsed at NEIGRIHMS while waiting for the post-mortem. The pain of losing her only son appears almost unbearable. For Prinomi’s father and sisters, the void left by their beloved daughter and sister feels equally insurmountable.
Compounding their sorrow is the families’ deep struggle to navigate the system. Speaking only their native Hajong language, they find it difficult to communicate with officials and understand the complex processes that follow such a loss. Many in their villages had never imagined their children would face such isolation in the city.
After visiting the site and reviewing available videos, villagers expressed strong doubts about the circumstances. “The space is very small,” said one villager who accompanied the families. “Anyone who sees the place naturally has questions. We are not pointing fingers, but we desperately want the authorities to conduct a proper investigation and reveal the truth.”
Others highlighted the unusual position in which the bodies were found—both in a sitting posture and partially hanging. “We cannot understand how both of them could have ended their lives like this,” another villager remarked. “They were young, in love, and supporting each other through tough times.”
Further unease stems from the absence of any representative from the employers during the post-mortem and when the bodies were handed over. “At least on humanitarian grounds, someone could have come to express sympathy,” said a villager. “The families had travelled far in unimaginable grief.”
Prinomi worked at Alaya Café & Bar, often returning late at night. She was last seen leaving her workplace alone around 12:34 am on Saturday after closing.
Simanta, who worked elsewhere, would regularly wait for her to ensure she reached home safely. On that fateful night too, he had gone to accompany her, as was his habit. The couple lived in separate accommodations provided by their employers, yet their bond was well-known among co-workers.
Villagers also questioned the lack of any safety arrangement for young women returning late from work. “If a young woman has to walk a long distance after midnight, there should be some system to ensure her safety,” one remarked.
The couple’s bodies were found barely 50 metres from the area where they worked—close to the place that had promised them a better life, but instead became the site of their final moments.
As the investigation proceeds, the families of Simanta and Prinomi cling to the hope that the truth will bring them some closure.
