Khliehriat, Jul 4: The abduction and subsequent killing of a 34-year-old driver in East Jaintia Hills has sparked outrage within the community.
In response to the incident, the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has announced its own verification drive targeting non-tribals residing in the district.
“With immediate effect, the JNC hereby authorises all its units, Circles, and Zones to commence lawful verification operations across the Jaiñtia Hills to identify and register every non‑tribal person residing in our areas.,” JNC publicity secretary Mebanteilang Sukhlain in a statement said.
“This is an operational directive from the JNC CEC start now, and leave no one unchecked,” he added.
Sukhlain said the operation aims to check identities, places of residence, and occupations for thorough documentation to enhance local safety.
“We will not sit by while village heads and local institutions repeatedly fail to prevent tragedies, community leaders and dorbar shnong must cooperate fully with these operations,” he said.
Kyrshan Lamurong (34) of Tongseng-Nongkhlieh had gone missing with his new car on June 15. Investigations by police led to the discovery of his body yesterday in an abandoned coal pit in Lad Rymbai, resulting in the arrests of three suspects, including two from Assam.
The JNC said the incident is not just a crime but a “critical alarm” for the society about the dire necessity of ensuring safety of the community.
Stating that the incident has once again exposed the serious danger created by unregulated movement, unknown residency, and the absence of proper local monitoring in many villages, the JNC said Kyrshan’s death exposes a dangerous gap in local safety and community oversight where unknown and unverified people are allowed to live and move freely in villages.
“Repeated warnings and appeals for vigilance have been ignored for too long; the time for gentle reminders is over. Village safety is a non‑negotiable priority,” the JNC said.
The group warned that if people continue to be harmed because of lax local monitoring or unchecked residency, it will escalate “firm action without hesitation”, and called for collaboration from villagers, headmen, dorbar shnongs, youth bodies and local institutions to strengthen vigilance.
“This is an urgent community self-defence” the statement reads.
Expressing sorrow over the tragic death of Kyrshan, the JNC demanded police to conduct a swift, impartial and transparent investigation and ensure that all those responsible for the crime are prosecuted.
