In what police believe to be a terrible accident, one Khrimshon Thongnikhar was shot dead by a neighbour while they were protecting their crops from wild animals in South West Khasi Hills.
Police sources informed that on the afternoon of September 21, villagers from Ngunraw had set out to protect their farms in Rangoi Dombah as wild animals, especially bears, were frequent raiders of their plantation.
While they were there, a bear suddenly made its appearance and, in surprise and fright, one Loadstar Thongni (47) pulled the trigger of his gun and shot dead Thongnikhar, another member of the farm protection party.
The victim of the accident died on the spot. His body was taken back to Ngunraw and then to Mawkyrwat Community Health Centre for an autopsy before being returned to his family.
Thongni was formally arrested and lodged at Mawkyrwat Police Station. The gun in question has also been seized, the police source added.