Shillong, Oct 12: Getting their just desserts, a pair of notorious criminals landed rather fortuitously into the lap of the North Garo Hills police after they were involved in a drunken motorbike ride that led to an accident.
Walchang K Sangma and Mikselbirth Sangma have a history of run-ins with the law. In their most recent enterprise, they had stolen the bike they were riding on and were heading towards Assam in order to sell it. However, having indulged in alcohol, they crashed the two-wheeler near Berubari, under Bajengdoba Police Station limits.
According to police, the accident occurred when the motorcycle collided with a tree on National Highway 51 and both riders sustained injuries. Members of the public gathered at the scene and discovered arms in the bags carried by the accused, leading to the duo being assaulted. Police intervened and took the duo into custody, recovering two handmade wooden arms, five mobile phones, a kukri and other items.
Investigations revealed that Walchang had been previously arrested in a case of crime against women at Ampati Police Station and was under judicial custody for seven years. Mikselbirth was also earlier arrested in a kidnapping case in Ampati. The two met in jail and a criminal friendship was born.
During interrogation, police said, they confessed to stealing three mobile phones from a public bus and the motorcycle they were riding from Rongmil, East Garo Hills. They were headed to Assam to sell the stolen items when the accident occurred. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
