Shillong, Sep 5: Some 21 suspects in a string of two-wheeler thefts were arrested by police in Meghalaya in the last two days.
Ten of those arrested are Bangladeshi nationals.
Following “rampant” bike thefts in Shillong, police set up roadblocks in Mawryngkneng in the early hours of Thursday where they checked the paperwork of two-wheelers that passed the spot. A scooty coming from Shillong, noticing the presence of police, stopped and turned around. Later, the scooty returned and this time the police were waiting to ambush the rider. The suspect tried to escape but was pursued and apprehended. He was identified by police as Nehlang Lamare (24) of Barato in West Jaintia Hills.
Later, at around 5:15am, police arrested another suspect, Klement Timung (18) of Jowai, at Mawryngkneng. Several hours later, police arrested another three suspects, accused of passing stolen bikes on to Bangladeshi receivers. The three were identified as Peter Pohrmen (18), Vicky Dkhar (20) and Romeo Ryngksai (24), all from the Dawki area.
From their disclosure, a joint operation between East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills police was conducted on the night of September 4-5 where 14 more individuals were arrested, all accused of receiving the stolen two-wheelers.
From Barato were Deimionjongmi Paslein (25), Barister Lamare (20), Lastborn Lamare (21) and a 15-year-old minor. The Bangladeshis were identified as Kawsar Mia (40), Ali Hussain (40), Md Rafiq Miah (28), Md Jil Miah (30), Monnan Miah (38), Rumel Miah (20), Shabaj Miah (24), Ridial Hussain (19), Samiya Mia (25) and a 17-year-old minor.
Separately, after a case was registered concerning the theft of a scooty from Mawlai Nongkohlew, police from Mawkynroh tracked down the stolen vehicle and arrested two suspects – Stevenson Mawlein and Richesstar Kharumnuid – from Mawlai Mawsiatkhnam.
