A family were in fear for their lives after a mob descended on their home in Nongdiloin in South West Khasi Hills, resulting in injuries to five, including a minor.
Police suspect that internal clan rivalry and control of the market at Umdohlun could be behind the violence. It was only after the arrival of the police that the mob dispersed but, before that, one of the besieged family fired a rifle to keep the crowd at bay.
The injured were identified as Banteilang Paliar (16), Jim Paliar (36), Justarwell Paliar (23), Pyndapjingkyrmen Paliar (21) and Banrilang Nongsiej (36). All have been brought to NEIGRIHMS here for treatment.
The incident occurred yesterday beginning at around 2pm when Phaibor Paliar, acting head (Lyngdoh Kur) of the Paliar clan of Nobosohphoh Syiemship, was returning home with friends and relatives after a trip to Mawkyrwat for some work.
After passing Demnar on the Nongstoin-Wahkaji Road at around 7:20pm, they were accosted by seven to eight vehicles, including a minibus.
These vehicles tried to get Phaibor’s car to stop and pelted stones at it. However, Phaibor raced home and informed police via phone.
Around 20 minutes after he and his companions reached home, a crowd numbering in excess of 100 armed with daggers and other weapons tried to storm his house. They pelted stones at it and tried to force their way in through the doors and windows.
It was at this time that Phaibor’s father, Khreslan Lyngkhoi, fired four bullets from his rifle to scare the mob away. This was partially successful as the crowd did retreat some distance but continued to pelt stones at the residence, all the while hurling threats against the lives of those within.
The police subsequently arrived and that drove the mob to disperse. The family were only able to identify three or four members of their attackers and police are continuing to investigate.
