MHRC directs govt to submit action taken report on Pashang mob lynching incident

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 18, 2020

The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on Wednesday directed the state government to submit a detailed report on the recent mob lynching incident at Pashang village, about 10 kilometers away from Syntung village in East Khasi Hills District.  

The MHRC headed by its chairperson Justice T Vaiphei and members PJP Hanaman and B Giri, has viewd the incident with concern and has considered it to be fit case for taking suo-moto cognizance of the same, said a statement issued here.

“(MHRC) has issued notice directing the state government through the chief secretary 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,” it said.

The Commission also said that 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”.

It may be mentioned here that a group of nine youths from Madanrting had gone for a picnic to a tourist spot at Syntung village under Mawkynrew Block on March 8. However, on their way back, they were suddenly attacked by a mob who accused them of being the menshohnoh.

One of three youth who were brutally assaulted by the angry mob succumbed to his injuries. Six others from the group managed to escape to a nearby jungle and were only rescued by police on March 9. The deceased have been identified as Macmillan Kharshandy.

Meanwhile, police have so far arrested 24 persons for their alleged involvement in the mob lynching incident.