Shillong: A Bangladeshi national was apprehended near the Seven Sisters Falls Viewpoint on Saturday after the vehicle he was travelling in evaded a police checkpoint set up by Sohra Police Station.
According to police sources, a mobile patrol unit from Sohra Police Station had set up a routine naka (checkpoint) around 4 pm when they attempted to stop a silver Maruti A-Star (registration number AS-01-AP-0928). The vehicle failed to comply and sped past the checkpoint, prompting a police chase.
The vehicle was intercepted and stopped a short distance away near the popular Seven Sisters Falls Viewpoint.
Upon detaining the driver and passengers and escorting them to Sohra Police Station for verification, authorities discovered that one of the occupants was a Bangladeshi national identified as Robiul Islam, 32, a resident of Tengra Khali, Paderhat, Pirojpur, Bangladesh.
Islam, reportedly working as an electrician in Bengaluru, was attempting to return to Bangladesh through illegal channels and is suspected to have used this route multiple times in the past.
Police also detained two individuals believed to be acting as facilitators in his cross-border movement.
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The two were identified as Sujit Hajong, 32, and Ravi Singh, 38, both residents of Ichamati Bazaar in East Khasi Hills district.
Authorities said the trio is currently under interrogation to uncover further details, including the extent of the illegal network facilitating cross-border movement in the region.
A formal case is being registered under relevant provisions of The Foreigners Act, and further investigation is underway.