13-year-old killed in mob assault at North Garo Hills, suspects abscond

Tura, March 6: In another gruesome incident, a 13-year-old who had gone along with his friends to the village of Dinggok under Bajengdoba PS in North Garo Hills (NGH) succumbed to his injuries after he allegedly assaulted by another group of boys who were later joined by villagers.

The incident, which has sparked outrage in local circles, took place at about 6 PM on March 4.

According to reports, the 13-year old-victim along with his friends had gone to the village to wait upon his father. He was from the village of nearby Raja Apal. While waiting the boys struck up a conversation with some girls from the village, which apparently was the reason for the assault.

“Some local village boys did not like their talking to the girls and an argument turned into a full fledged altercation. Unfortunately some of the villagers came out in support of the assaulters and the boys were severely assaulted. The 13 year old victim succumbed to his injuries on the same night,” confirmed superintendent of police, NGH, Abraham T Sangma.

Immediately after the incident, the assaulters, which included some senior villagers have absconded from the village.

“A lookout notice has been issued for them and an investigation into the incident is currently on. We are doing our best to catch the suspects,” said the SP.

Earlier this year, a group of villagers from Tapa Darengchi under Mendipathar PS in the same district, were involved in assaulting a person in a case of mistaken identity. When the person was rescued by the police personnel, the villagers attacked and destroyed parts of the police station. Many villagers were arrested after the incident for destruction of government property.