Shillong, Mar 9: Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Monday condemned the lynching of a youth by mob and injuring eight others on Sunday at Lad Mawlang near Syntung, under Mawkynrew Block, East Khasi Hills district because they were suspected to be menshohnoh.

It is suspected that worshippers of U Thlen (a serpent) used to hire killers (menshohnoh) to murder people in order to feed the blood to the evil spirit known as U Thlen, for economic prosperity.

Syntung is a village known for its beautiful tourist spots.

Nine youths, all from Madanrting had gone for a picnic to Syntung village on Sunday, but after leaving Syntung in the evening, a mob attacked them suspecting that are menshohnoh.

The jeep (ML10-B-0957) they were travelling in was also set on fire.

Two of them were seriously injured, and six others escaped the mob attacked by hiding in a forest in the area the whole night, and they came to the rescue to police on Monday morning.

The home minister assured that action would be taken against the perpetrators as per law.

The deceased was identified as Macmillan Kharshandi of Madanrting Block A, while two others who received head injuries include Ricky Dkhar (26) and Teiborlang Kharbyngar (25).

According to the residents of Madanrting, the deceased, Macmilan Kharshandi earned his livelihood by supplying water to various households in a water tanker (jeep).

The youths first decided to visit the famous tourist spot at Laitlum near Smit, to celebrate the birthday of their friend, Ricky Dkhar, but later they decided to visit Syntung because they had earlier visited Laitlum.

Ricky’s birthday fell on Saturday, but they decided to celebrate together on Sunday.

Rymbui while condemning the incident, termed it unfortunate as people took the law in their own hands.

The home minister informed that he is still waiting for a full report on the incident, and assured that the state government will ensure that the law prevails and that such tragic incident does not repeat.

“The government will ensure speedy investigation and prosecution as this will ensure all the perpetrators of such crime be punished as per law,” Rymbui said.

Keeping in mind that Syntung is a tourist spot and has attracted people not only from the state but from outside as well, Rymbui said, it is important for the local people of the area to ensure that no untoward incidents are allowed to take place.

“Local people are the ones who will benefit from tourist spots and it is their duty to ensure there is a sense of security among the visitors,” he said.

Whether the government is contemplating to come up with a law to take stern action against those involved in mob lynching, the home minister said laws are already there to punish people involved in such killings.

Rymbui stressed the need to speed up the process of investigation and prosecution.

To a question if compensation be extended to the victim’s family, the home minister said that at this juncture, he is still waiting for a detailed report to know how the incident had taken place.

Meanwhile, Nongkrem MLA, Lambor Malngiang and Nongthymmai MDC, Latiplang Kharkongor strongly condemned the incident and demanded that all those involved in murdering and injuring the youths be brought to book.

“All of them should be arrested immediately. They have taken people’s life, and they deserve penalty as per the law of the land,” Malngiang said.

“We strongly condemned this incident and it pains me to hear the mob saying that they would also kill the family members of the deceased. You tell the world that Syntung is a place that attracts tourists, but there are still barbaric people,” Malngiang said.

He said that the incident has sent a wrong message to the whole world that visitors would not visit the tourist spot at Syntung, because they may face death if they visit.

Sports Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh, who is the MLA of Mawkynrew constituency, also visited the injured youths at Shillong Civil Hospital and condemned the incident.