Shillong, July 29: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has termed the inhumane act against one Noping Khongsit who was forced to consume human excreta for his alleged practicing witchcraft as violation of human rights to live with dignity.
Reacting strongly against such inhumane action, the NHRC on Monday has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that a person alleged to have been practicing witchcraft was forced to eat human excreta by the village heads of Mawrangkang village in Pynursla, East Khasi Hills district on July 20 last.
Issuing notices to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, returnable in four weeks, the Commission has observed the contents of the press report, if true; raise a serious issue of violation of human rights to live with dignity.
It may be reminded here that Khongsit and his family was alleged of practicing witchcraft. The allegation against Khongsit was made by four young girls of the village who claimed that they would shout out his name while sleeping and they mentioned that he would frighten them with snakes in their dreams.
Based on the allegations of the four young girls, the village Dorbar in the presence of the members of the village in a meeting on July 20 directed Khongsit to eat human excreta as punishment.
On the other hand, Kerini Khongsit, Rangbah Shnong, Thwer Tynsong, Assistant Rangbah Shnong and Jwatbor Khongmalai Secretary of the village were arrested by the police after they surrendered themselves to the police on July 26 for their involvement in forcing an alleged witchcraft practitioner to eat human excreta. (SP News)
