Shillong: West Jaintia Hills Police on Tuesday arrested 18 Bangladeshi nationals along with two Indian touts and five drivers during a coordinated early-morning operation aimed at curbing illegal cross-border movement.
Police said the operation began around 3 am after a special team, assisted by the headman and members of the Village Defence Party (VDP) of Demthring village, pursued and intercepted a vehicle near Amlarem.
The vehicle, bearing registration number ML04 D 7339, was stopped near Sanmala Guest House following a brief chase from the Lad Demthring area.
Four Bangladeshi nationals were found inside, while the driver was identified as Vishal Dkhar of Dawki.
Simultaneously, two Indian touts — identified as Meban Dkhar and Melari Rasmut — were detained from Lad Demthring along with another vehicle bearing registration number ML04 D 4739.
During questioning, police said Meban Dkhar revealed that three additional vehicles carrying Bangladeshi nationals were en route from Jowai towards Dawki.
Acting swiftly on this information, police set up naka checking in the Amlarem market area.
At around 3.45 am, three vehicles were intercepted during the check. Police recovered 14 Bangladeshi nationals from the vehicles, identified as ML05 AD 6424 driven by Blessing Pamthied of Jarain village, ML04 D 4993 driven by Twel Rongngi of Shkentalang village, and ML04 E 0640 driven by Rimi Lyngdoh of the same village.
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In total, police apprehended 18 Bangladeshi nationals, two Indian touts and five drivers, and seized five vehicles used in the operation.
Police said a case has been registered and all the accused have been taken into custody for further legal action under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Reiterating their commitment to securing the border, West Jaintia Hills Police appealed to village headmen and VDP members across the district to remain vigilant and actively assist law enforcement in preventing illegal activities and safeguarding local communities.
