“A seven-year-old boy was found dead in a forested area near Mawpat on the outskirts of Shillong on Thursday morning, in what police believe to be a case of homicide. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that all available evidence suggests murder, pending further confirmation from the post-mortem report to ascertain the cause and nature of injuries. Given the gravity of the crime involving a child, Syiem indicated that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) may soon be constituted to handle the probe. Investigators suspect the boy’s body was dumped at the secluded site surrounded by dense vegetation. This case follows a recent incident in Nongrah, where a 13-year-old boy was detained in connection with the death of four-year-old Insaphira Lyngdoh Mawnai. While police have not found any link between the two cases, all possible angles are being explored. Residents have been urged to remain alert, install CCTV cameras, improve street lighting, and report suspicious activity immediately to police control at 112.”