Resubelpara(Meghalaya), Aug 11: Residents of Chitukona, near Damra under North Garo Hills (NGH) yesterday beat up a man after he allegedly tried to snatch a bag from one of the residents.
The incident, which has then gone viral on social media after videos of the man being beaten up surfaced online, has been widely condemned with many asking as to who authorized such brutality against one of their own.
Videos showed the unidentified man being brutalized with many of the assaulters kicking him and beating him with sticks with the man begging those involved to stop. However despite the protests, the beating continued for quite some time.
As per police authorities, the victim of the assault is a resident of Lower Daram near Resubelpara and had come to the village of Chitukona and spent the night there. It was in the morning of Aug 10, when he was on his way back home that he was accused of snatching someone’s bag after which the villagers ganged up to assault him.
Many residents later posted on social media of the victim being a part of the rumoured ‘Blackman’ gang that has spread fear in the districts, albeit only through rumour mongering. No cases or sightings of the gang have been made in any of the villages across NGH though despite this the legend has continued to spread. People coming from other villages, who may not be known to the local populace, are being looked upon with suspicion.
“He has not pressed charges and so no arrests have been made in the case. However once we verify the facts, we expect to file a suo moto case against those responsible for the assault. Our team is currently investigating the matter,” said superintendent of police, NGH, Abraham T Sangma.
