In yet another heinous incident to herald the year 2017, a 17-year-old girl was gang raped by six persons in a village in East Khasi Hills District even as police are yet to arrest the accused.
The incident took place at 9pm at Mawmang locality of Mawryngkneng village on January 1, when the girl was going home from her aunt’s place, after having had food for the New Year.
An FIR filed with the Mawryngkneng police station has named the six accused who were identified as Sanlang Kharlukhi, Rimon Surong, Requestor Mukhim, Shan Dkhar, Sanbhalang Mawthoh and Banlumlang Rynjah.

The accused persons are absconding and investigation is on,” police said in their official website.
Meanwhile in a statement issued here, the Civil Society Women Organization (CSWO) said it was informed by the victim’s family that after having committed the heinous crime they dragged her to the rented house of Rimon Surong.

They tied her hands with one of their pants and raped her while covering her mouth also. Not being able to fight or shout she was helpless and they could all rape her. After having committed this heinous crime they dragged her to the rented house of Rimon Surong in Mawryngkneng. She became conscious only next day at about 10 am and she fled the place as Rimon was asleep.

In the meantime early in the morning the family were searching for her and could get only some of her clothes and shoes and when she returned with much injuries she slowly gained consciousness and related the matter to her family. The alleged accused are, Sanlang Kharlukhi, Rimon Surong, Requester Mukhim, (younger brother of local Headman of that locality) Shan Dkhar of Mynso West Jaintia Hills District , (driver of local Headman ) Sanbhalang Mawthoh and Balumlang Rynjah. Thinking the Sordar of Mawryngkneng Village would hand over the alleged accused to the Police the family of the victim reported the matter to him on 2.1.2017. He instead tried for two days to bring them to a compromise in the presence of the local Headman whose brother is an accused.

The alleged accused even attended the Dorbar meeting but were later sent home by the Sordar before he was forced to report the matter to the Police on the 3.1.2017 as some relatives of the victims family called him up.

The traditional Sordar also, instead, questioned the relatives, why they let the girl come out. The aunt of the victim told us the house is just nearby and wondered why the girl should be gang raped just because she came out. FIR was filed today 4.1.2017 with help from other relatives of the victim who were informed late and as verbally the information was given to police on evening of 3.1.2017 medical examination was conducted in the PHC Mawryngkneng in the evening of 3.1.2017.

The CSWO Strongly condemns the act and request that bail be rejected and authorities should ascertain that family faces no threat from the traditional heads of Mawryngkneng and its localities.

The alleged accused are also not yet arrested and we urge their immediate arrest.

The POCSO Act should be applied to all those who try to not help the victim in such a heinous crime.

Agnes Kharshiing President CSWO