Shillong, Oct 16: A man narrowly escaped mob lynching in Lawmei, Diengiei area, on Thursday morning after being accused of being a “menshohnoh” (witch). The swift response of Lumdiengiri Police and the Special Operations Team (SOT) prevented a potential tragedy.
According to a statement by East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, IPS, information was received around 8:00 AM from the Headman of Lawmei that villagers had detained a man suspected of witchcraft and were threatening to lynch him. Police immediately rushed to the spot and rescued the victim, identified as Shri Nicolas Lyngkhoi (39), a resident of Ktiehthawiar, Mawshynrut, from the Lawmei community hall, where he had been held by the village elders.
Upon questioning, Lyngkhoi explained that he works as a tree feller at Umiam and was en route to visit relatives at Umthlong, Sohiong area, on October 15. However, as night fell and temperatures dropped, he decided to take shelter in a shed at Lawmei locality instead. The next morning, around 6:00 AM, the shed owner spotted him, took photos, and alerted neighbours — which quickly escalated into suspicion and mob action.
The rescued man was taken to Lumdiengiri Police Station and later sent for a medical examination at Civil Hospital, Shillong, where doctors confirmed he had sustained minor injuries.
Police have appealed to the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to immediately inform authorities in cases of suspicion instead of resorting to violence.
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