SHILLONG, July 10: A Shillong youth accused of raping a minor and sexually exploiting multiple young women has gone absconding after allegations against him went viral on social media, triggering public outrage and demands for swift justice.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem on Friday said an FIR has been registered and police are making all efforts to trace the accused, who allegedly fled Shillong after the allegations surfaced.
The police had initially coordinated with their Mizoram counterparts after receiving information that the youth had headed there, but later confirmed he had not gone to Mizoram and was absconding elsewhere.
“If he had gone home for a holiday, he should have informed. But no one knows his whereabouts. After the post went viral, he fled and is now absconding. The investigation is progressing, and it is only a matter of time before we arrest him,” Syiem said.
SP (City) Dangsan Khyriem confirmed that the FIR was lodged at Laitumkhrah Police Station on July 7. He said the accused is absconding and police are investigating the matter from all angles while remaining in touch with Mizoram Police.
The Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. Chairperson Agatha K. Sangma said the commission is extending full support to the police through District Child Protection Officers. So far, only one victim has formally come forward, though authorities believe there could be more and are reaching out to them.
“We have identified one victim who has come forward. There are more victims who are being reached out, but they have not reported the matter yet,” Sangma said.
She added that she had independently learned of the allegations and immediately contacted the police and child protection authorities.
The viral social media post alleged that the youth had sexually exploited several young women over time, intimidated some by threatening to leak their private videos, and that one victim had become pregnant.
The Young Mizo Association (YMA) has also stepped in. Its president, Ricky Renthlei, said the organisation first learned of the allegations through social media and contacted the accused and his family. By then, the youth had already left Shillong for Guwahati and was travelling towards Aizawl. The matter was referred to the YMA’s central body in Mizoram.
“We condemn the incident. We want the police to conduct a thorough investigation and, if the accused is found guilty, he should be punished according to law,” Renthlei said.
He assured that the YMA would assist the police and urged victims or anyone with information to approach either the investigating agency or the organisation.
Police have appealed to other victims to come forward and file complaints against the accused.
