SHILLONG: The East Jaintia Hills Police have achieved a significant breakthrough in the Umpleng quadruple murder case with the arrest of a suspect on Thursday.
Superintendent of Police Giri Prasad confirmed the arrest to the press but refrained from disclosing further details “in the interest of the investigation”.
“As of now, our investigation is ongoing to apprehend other individuals involved in this case,” Superintendent Prasad told the press.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang, while providing some insights into the preliminary findings of the investigation, revealed that the four victims were suspected to be involved in drug use and minor drug dealing activities.
The fourth victim has been identified as Loba Tamang, and efforts are underway to locate and inform his relatives.
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Earlier, to expedite the investigation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted, with oversight from the Meghalaya Police Headquarters.
The victims have been identified as Ravi Rai (23) from Ilam district, Nepal; Nasar Kyndait (33) from Dkhiah East, Pohshnong in East Jaintia Hills; and Rajesh Rai (26) from Koshi Anchal, Nepal.
Following post-mortem examinations, their bodies were handed over to their respective families.
The grim discovery was made on July 6 when workers in the Umpleng area stumbled upon four bodies, their hands bound and showing signs of multiple injuries, suggesting a brutal and potentially premeditated assault near Umpleng market.
Reports indicate that the murders either occurred at the location where the bodies were found or that the victims were transported to Umpleng postmortem.
The East Jaintia Hills Police continue to work to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in their investigation.
