NHRC notice over reports of man forced to eat excreta

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Monday issued notice to local authorities in Meghalaya over reports that a man was forced to eat human excreta for allegedly practising witchcraft.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report, the NHRC issued notice to the district magistrate and superintendent of police of the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

The commission observed that the contents of the report raised a serious issue of violation of human rights and individual dignity.

Four girls Wahkdait village in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya alleged that Noping Khongsit used to appear in their dreams and frighten them with snakes. Believing the statements of the girls, the local village committee declared the man guilty of practising witchcraft, and held him responsible for scaring the four girls. His punishment was to eat human excreta.