Shillong, Jul 10: Even as only one victim has so far lodged a formal complaint, the East Khasi Hills police have appealed to anyone else who may have faced similar alleged crimes by the same accused to come forward and file an FIR.
“As of right now, none of the other alleged victims have come forward except the one who has filed the FIR. We appeal to anyone who has any evidence of similar crimes committed against them to come forward and register their FIR accordingly,” East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (City) Dangsan Khyriem said today.
The appeal comes amid allegations circulating on social media that a youth from Shillong sexually assaulted multiple young women. Police, however, have confirmed that only one FIR has been registered so far, at Laitumkhrah Police Station on July 7. An investigation is underway and police are searching for the suspect, who is absconding.
“All necessary action has been taken from the police side. As of right now, the alleged accused is absconding and we are making every effort to trace him,” he said.
Responding to reports that the accused have fled to Mizoram, the SP said the Meghalaya Police are coordinating closely with their counterparts there.
“We are in touch with our counterparts in Mizoram and are trying our level best to ascertain the location of the absconding accused,” Khyriem said.
Asked whether the police had contacted the accused’s family, Khyriem said they had not yet reached out to his parents.
“We have not exactly reached out to the parents of the alleged accused. Right now, our priority is to locate him since he is absconding,” he said.
Describing the allegations as serious, the SP said the police are treating the case with due importance.
Meanwhile, the family of the youth said that they are prepared to cooperate with the investigation if they receive an official notice from the police.
Speaking over the phone, the father declined to comment on the allegations in detail, saying the matter would be handled through legal channels.
“If the police call us, then there is nothing I can do. We will come back and speak to the police as per their instruction. Until now, there has been no such communication,” he said, adding that he had no information on any FIR being filed.
He also declined to say whether his son accepts or denies the allegations. “I haven’t spoken to him much. I’m not in a position to talk to him. I think he will speak with the lawyer,” he said.
