Shillong, Sept 26: Police on Tuesday detained eight members of a women organisation that claimed to be a vigilante group, in connection with act of moral policing in Pynthor area in which three girls were tortured by them.
The girls were detained by the women activists allegedly for roaming in Pynthor on September 14 and later they were tortured allegedly by activists of the vigilante group who cut their hair and beat them up with stick and scissor.
Police picked up the women activists after coming out of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) of here to give their explanation in connection with the incident.
But nobody was arrested in connection with the incident.
However some of the representatives of women organisation who allegedly tortured the girls did not appear before the MSCW.
Speaking to reporters, MSCW chairperson, Theilin Phanbuh said that members of the Seng Longkmie Pynthor came to give their statement but the hearing was inconclusive since the three victims could not appear before the Commission as they are admitted in hospital.
The statements of the three victims will be recorded later, she said.
When asked, Phanbuh however said that the Commission was yet to ascertain if the action of the women activists against the three girls was with “good or bad intention.”
“The women activists claimed that they were saving the girls from being attacked by mob,” she said, adding that the MSWC commission could do little since the matter has been taken up by police for investigation.
Director of Manbha Foundation, Dr Rica Lamar, said that the three girls have been traumatized by such moral policing.
“People should not take the law into their hands. The girls have been traumatised as their hairs were cut and people were taking video and circulated the same in social media like Facebook,” Dr Lamar said.
According to Dr lamar, one of the victims felt she has been humiliated that she thought of ending her life.
“We are counseling them and make them aware of their rights,” Lamar said.