Shillong(Meghalaya), Mar 19 : The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission, Shillong headed by its Chairperson Justice T Vaiphei and members, PJP Hanaman and Ms. B Giri has issued notice to the Government on a case of lynching as appeared in the news item published in The Telegraph dated 11th March, 2020 under the caption “Villagers kill one, wound eight others on witchcraft suspicion”.
According to media reports, a group of nine individuals, name Macmillan Kharshandi, Teiborlang Kharbyngar, Ricky Dkhar, Alfready Sohtun, Vishal Deb Verma, Bijay Singh, Rohit Suting, Banteiliang Kharumnuid and Pappu Deka, all residents of Madanryting had gone for a picnic to Syntung under Mawkynrew Block to celebrate Ricky Dkhar’s birthday. While returning back to Shillong after the picnic, they were intercepted by a mob who accused them of being Menshohnoh and assaulted them with sticks and sharp weapons, for which three person sustained injuries resulting in the death of one Macmillan Kharshandi, while six others managed to run to the forest and escape the wrath of the mob.
Article 21 of the Constitution mandates for protection of life and personal liberty for every person within the territory of India which may be quoted as under:
“No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law”
In consideration to the grave and serious facts as reflected in the media reports, the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission has viewed the incident with concern and has considered it to be fit case for taking sou-moto cognizance of the same and has issued notice directing the State Government through the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya and the Director General of Police regarding the Action Taken Report (ATR) taken by them as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in July 2018 on the subject of lynching by vigilante group and to submit a detailed report to the Commission within 30 days . (MIPR)
