Shillong, Mar 18: The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Government on a case of lynching as appeared in the news reports recently.

The Commissioner is headed by its Chairperson Justice T Vaiphei and members, PJP Hanaman and B Giri.

The Commission said that according to media reports, a group of nine individuals – Macmillan Kharshandi, Teiborlang Kharbyngar, Ricky Dkhar, Alfready Sohtun, Vishal Deb Verma, Bijay Singh, Rohit Suting, Banteiliang Kharumnuid and Pappu Deka, all residents of Madanrting had gone for a picnic to Syntung under Mawkynrew Block to celebrate Ricky Dkhar’s birthday.

While returning to Shillong after the picnic, they were intercepted by a mob who accused them of being Menshohnoh and assaulted them with sticks and sharp weapons, for which three person sustained injuries resulting in the death of one Macmillan Kharshandi, while six others managed to run to the forest and escape the wrath of the mob.

This incident happened on march 8 at Lad Mawlang under Mawkynrew Block.

The Commission said that Article 21 of the Constitution mandates for protection of life and personal liberty for every person within the territory of India which may be quoted as “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law”

In consideration to the grave and serious facts as reflected in the media reports, the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission has viewed the incident with concern and has considered it to be fit case for taking sou-moto cognizance of the same.

The Commissioner has issued notice directing the Meghalaya Government through the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya and the Director General of Police regarding the Action Taken Report (ATR) taken by them as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in July 2018 on the subject of lynching by vigilante group and to submit a detailed report to the Commission within 30 days.