CSWO alleges threat to woman, daughter by village authorities

A Correspondent

Shillong, June 28: The Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) today expressed concern over constant “threats” to a woman and her minor daughter.

According to CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing, the victims – Yoris Khongjoh (40) and her nine year old daughter - belongs to Sankhat village, 15 kilometers from Muktapur village, located along the Indo-Bangla border and falling under Amlarem sub-division.

On June 27, Khongjoh lodged a complaint that four persons, mely Headrick Dkhar, Long Dkhar, Elwis Khongiong and Bolai Das accused her of practicing witchcraft in the village and threatened her with dire consequences before chasing her out of the village.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the village authority ostracized her and her daughter and also allegedly directed the complete cut-off of drinking water supply and transportation. The village authorities also threatened to burn down the house of Khongjoh.

According to Kharshiing, the woman had bought a piece of land years back prior to the birth of her child, which later was encroached into by one Bless Syrti. “Khongjoh protested the encroachment but Bless went to the Dorbar and they (Dorbar) summoned Khongjoh on March 25. The Dorbar decided to ostracize her saying she is practicing witchcraft,” the CSWO leader alleged.

“We also suspect the hand of Bolai Das, the estranged husband of Yoris, in the incident. He is very friendly with Hedrick Dhar (headman), Elwis Khongiong (secretary) and Long Dhar, and these are the four persons who have time and again threatened to kill her,” the CSWO president alleged.

Kharshiing also informed that on her intervention on April 1 this year, Khongjoh was called to sign a “peace bond” under sec 107 CrPC at Amlarem.

According to Kharshiing, the woman signed and thought the village head would be pacified with intervention of the SDM.

The CSWO president alleged that the secretary (Elwis Khongiong) had initially refused to sign. “He even talked big before the magistrate saying he would not be responsible if anything happened to Khongjoh,” she said.

Kharshiing said that the woman feared to return to the village.

“These threats have also caused mental torture to the daughter of Yoris. She had seen the village elders threatening her mother. Now she gets dreams of being attacked and is getting sick time and again,” Kharshiing alleged.

The CSWO has demanded immediate action against the perpetrators as per law so that women and children feel safe and secure.