Shillong, Sep 15: A four-year-old child, missing since Sunday evening, was found murdered about 100 meters away from her home in Nongrah Nonglum on Monday morning.
The child had mysteriously gone missing while playing in the courtyard of her home. The body was found face down, and a stone weighed down on her back lying in stagnated rainwater in the ground floor of the under-construction building.
The family suspects that the child was murdered somewhere else and then dumped.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that the child was murdered. He said the body was first spotted by a labourer at the construction site.
Following the recovery of the body, forensic experts examined the scene to collect evidence and a dog squad was deployed to conduct a secondary search of the area.
Syiem said the body of the child was shifted to NEIGRIHMS for post-mortem examination, and the report is awaited.
A Special Investigating Team (SIT) led by Superintendent of Police (City) Herbert Kharkongor, to be monitored by Syiem, has been formed to probe the death of the child.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the state drawing condemnation from all sections of society.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has expressed anguish over the tragic incident and direct the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without delay.
“Deeply anguished to learn about the tragic death of 4-year-old Insaphira Lyngdoh Mawnai, who went missing from her residence in Nongrah early yesterday morning. Her mortal remains were recovered today under circumstances suggesting a suspected homicide. Have directed @MeghalayaPolice to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without delay,” he wrote on X.
The State BJP has expressed concern over the incident and said it retains full faith in Meghalaya police to uncover the truth.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) and the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress in separate statements also condemned the incident and said the murder has shaken the conscience of the society and left the entire community in grief and anger.
Extending its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family the youth Congress said, “Killing of an innocent child raises grave questions about the safety and security of our people, even within the supposed safety of their own homes and doorsteps.”
Pointing out that in recent months, Meghalaya has witnessed repeated incidents of crimes against women and children from the Williamnagar case to the Rajasimla case, and now the horrific Nongrah incident the MPYC said, “These cases expose the State Government’s repeated failure to protect the most vulnerable sections of our society. Despite public outrage, little has been done to ensure safety and justice.”
The youth Congress said that the government should treat crimes against women and children as a top priority, not as routine cases by strengthening policing, especially in vulnerable areas, and set up special child protection units.
It also called on the government to work with Dorbar Shnongs and community bodies to create local safety networks and to launch sustained awareness and vigilance campaigns to protect children and women while also ensuring fast-track courts so that justice is not delayed.
A candlelight vigil was also held at the Congress Bhavan to mourn the victim and to show support to the family. The Congress said by holding the vigil the party is demonstrating its commitment to standing with the victims of crime and their families, while also pushing for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Various pressure groups such as the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) and others have condemned the incident and demanded immediate arrest of the culprit (s) responsible for the murder.
Meanwhile, the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong Nongthymmai Pyllun, a body of traditional heads, will hold a public rally from Rynjah market to the residence of the victim at 12 noon, as a mark of respect to the child, before she is laid to rest.
Remove victim’s photos, videos from social media: Police
Police have ordered individuals, youtubers and others to immediately take down photos and video clips revealing the dead body of a missing 4-year-old girl found murdered in Nongrah-Nonglum.
“Such thoughtless act is severely affecting the family members of the victim and the society as a whole which indicates that there is no respect for the victim and her family,” East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said.
The advisory from the SP’s office reads, “It is hereby urged to all such individuals, etc., not to upload such posts on any social media platforms, WhatsApp status, etc., and to take down all such posts immediately which have been uploaded/circulated.”
“Failing to comply with this advisory shall be viewed very seriously which shall attract serious legal implications on such individuals, groups and youtubers,” it added.
