Meghalaya: Suspect Arrested in Ri-Bhoi Minor’s Rape and Murder Case

The Ri-Bhoi police in Meghalaya apprehended the prime suspect in the rape and murder of a minor girl within 24 hours of the crime being reported, officials said.

Sources said that the accused, identified as 22-year-old Iainehskhem Kharsati, a resident of Ri-Bhoi district, has reportedly confessed to sexually assaulting and killing the victim.

Ri-Bhoi Police issued a statement on social media, confirming that the investigation is moving quickly. They plan to file a charge sheet within 14 days after completing all legal formalities and are working to ensure a fast-track trial, aiming for a conviction within three to four months. The accused will also be registered in the National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO).

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In response to the recent spate of child murders, including two in Shillong’s Nongrah locality and the latest in Ri-Bhoi, the Congress party organised a prayer session on Saturday to mourn the losses and raise concerns about the state’s worsening law and order situation. During the ‘Dongmusa’ event, attended by Congress leaders and civil society members, participants emphasised the urgent need for robust government measures to protect children and ensure justice for victims.

Congress leader Manuel Badwar described the ‘Dongmusa’ as a symbolic stand against heinous acts. He criticised Home Minister Prestone Tynsong’s recent remarks urging parents to safeguard their children, arguing that the statement lacks sensitivity toward ordinary families who lack the resources to provide constant supervision.

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Badwar stressed that children have the right to live, play, and move freely in their communities without fear. He urged Tynsong to reassess his comments and hold meetings to address the root causes of such crimes.

Meghalaya Mahila Congress president Joplyn Scott Shylla echoed these sentiments, slamming the government for failing to ensure public safety despite installing CCTV cameras and establishing the Integrated Command and Control Centre. She called on the police to focus on securing remote and isolated areas, where crimes are more likely to occur, rather than concentrating solely on crowded city centres.