In a major breakthrough, Meghalaya Police have arrested a 32-year-old man for the murder of a seven-year-old boy, nearly six months after the crime shocked residents of Mawpat in East Khasi Hills district.The accused, identified as Kenedy Khongsit, is a neighbour of the victim, Kyrshanbor Kharmudai. The child’s body was found in a jungle area in Mawpat on October 9, 2025, a day after he went missing. Addressing the media, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the case was solved after months of detailed investigation. He said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) carefully examined all available evidence, including forensic reports, to identify the accused.
Khongsit was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and has reportedly confessed to the crime during initial questioning. Police said he will be produced in court and taken into custody for further investigation.According to police, the incident took place on October 8, 2025, between 2:30 pm and 3 pm inside the accused’s house, which is located next to the victim’s home. The child had gone there after lunch to watch television.During interrogation, the accused told police that he became angry when the boy did not follow his instructions. He had asked the child to help him with cleaning a water storage tank, but the boy continued watching TV. In a fit of anger, he allegedly smothered the child.Police said the accused then placed the body inside a Syntex water tank before later moving it. He kept the body hidden in his backyard for some time, packed it in plastic sacks, and transported it on a scooty to a jungle area in Mawpat, where it was dumped.
Investigators said the accused used his cousin’s white Yamaha R-Z scooter for transporting the body. He reportedly left his locality in the late afternoon and returned within an hour after disposing of the body.Officials said the case was difficult to solve in the beginning as there was no direct evidence linking the accused to the crime. Several individuals were questioned, and samples were sent for forensic testing to laboratories in Guwahati and Shillong. Police added that the motive was also unclear during the early stages of the investigation, which further delayed progress. However, continuous efforts by the SIT and scientific analysis of evidence helped crack the case.