Shillong, Oct 17: In a dramatic rescue operation, the state police saved a 39-year-old man, Nicolas Lyngkhoi, from a mob that had gathered to lynch him over suspicions of being a “menshohnoh” in Lawmei, Diengiei area.
The swift action by the Lumdiengjri police station and SOT team prevented what could have been a tragic incident.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said on Thursday said Lyngkhoi, a tree feller from Mawshynrut, had taken shelter in a shed at Lawmei locality on the night of October 15 due to the cold weather. However, the owner of the shed spotted him and started taking photographs, which drew the attention of the neighbors.
A mob soon gathered, intent on lynching him.
The police team rushed to the scene and rescued Lyngkhoi from the community hall where he was being held by the village elders for his safety.
“On examining the victim, he stated that he works as a tree feller in a forest at Umiam. On October 15 at around 9 pm, he left Umiam to spend a night in his relative’s house at Umthlong of Sohiong area. However, on reaching near Lawmei, he abandoned the idea of going to Umthlong and spent the night in one of the sheds at Lawmei locality due to the cold weather,” Syiem said.
“Lyngkhoi was rescued from the community hall and was taken to Lumdiengiri Police Station and later sent for medical examination at Civil Hospital Shillong. The medical report indicated that he sustained minor injuries,” the SP added.
