Police have arrested as many as 13 people on suspicion of being involved in a highly-coordinated arson attack in the East Jaintia Hills village of Rymbai Iawpynsin.
Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa informed through a press release today that on Wednesday night, at around 10:45pm, one Deishim O Lamurong (26), a resident of Rymbai Shynrang Sakhain, was caught red-handed while trying to set fire to the home of the former headman of Rymbai village at Rymbai Iawpynsin.
Lamurong was nabbed by villagers, the SP said, while his associates managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness.
Later, police arrested three – Heisalon Dkhar (33), Elius Wanniang (40) and Rishotlang Bareh (31) – employees of the Meghalaya Electricity Corporation Ltd (MeECL), who are believed to have intentionally cut off the power to Rymbai before the house was set on fire. Dkhar works at the MeECL control room and is also a resident of Rymbai Shynrang Sakhain.
The others who were arrested, according to Dhanoa, are Bakstar Dkhar (32), Cherishme Dkhar (23), Eborlang Nongtdu (35), Emerson Dkhar (25), Roilang Dkhar (36), Henry Shangpung (32) and Thynda Lyngdoh (36). All are residents of Rymbai Shynrang Sakhain.
Sources said another two persons were arrested today. They are identified as Kletin Suchiang (27) and November Dkhar (24) – both of whom are also residents of Rymbai Shynrang Sakhain.
A case has been registered at Khliehriat police station under various sections of the IPC. Further investigations to “reveal the other co-accused and the larger conspiracy involved” have also been initiated, the SP said.
