Shillong, April 23: The state police arrested arrested Nineteen people including a woman for arson and stone pelting at the house of one Tremelin Nongsiej a local bussinessman for accusing him of practicing witch craft.
The arrest came a day after when the state police take strong reaction against the perpetrators of the crime.
According to the Superintendent of Police of East Khasi Hills M Kharkrang it was informed that hundreds of residents of the village and its adjoining areas marched to the residence of a businessman, , and attacked them last evening at around 8 pm besides setting his house ablaze as well as, ten vehicles were razed to the ground.
Further Kharkrang informed that the incident was triggered when a cow-heard of Domsohpian village alleged that one Banri Lyngkhoi of Langsymphud village had chased him. Following his “complaints” the Dorbar Shnong of the area summoned Lyngkhoi, who is employed by the businessman.
“When Lyngkhoi was questioned by the Dorbar after he was assaulted, they arrived at a conclusion that the businessman was practising witchcraft,” the SP said, adding, hundreds of villagers then marched towards the residence of the businessman and committed the crime.
Though the situation could not be controled in the first place however, not after the police had to resort to lathi charge and blank firing, Kharkrang said, adding, a sub-inspector was injured and two police vehicles damaged.
Kharkrang further informed that the family are now safe, but situation in the area is tensed.
Police has issued a strong warning against such acts as the SP at a news conference said, “We will take drastic action against such acts be it the Dorbar or an individual. It is high time that this has to stop.”
Notably, this is not the first case. Last year, a similar case occurred in a locality in the city wherein the family was lynched by a mob. Police said that such acts stem from jealously and perpetrators take refuge under witchcraft.
Meanwhile, in connection to this the Additional District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills Distritc has promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC in and around 2 Kms radius of and within Domsohpian, Mawryngkang, Dommawria and Pongkung villages under Mawsynram PS, East Khasi Hills district prohibiting assembly of five or more persons in the mentioned areas.
Besides, carrying of arms and any other lethal weapons likely to cause grievous injury of harm to any person is being probibited.(SP News)
