West Jaintia Hills Police arrested 18 Bangladeshi nationals along with two Indian touts and five drivers during a coordinated early-morning operation on Tuesday aimed at curbing illegal cross-border movement in the district.
Police said the operation began around 3 am when a special team, assisted by the village headman and members of the Village Defence Party (VDP) of Demthring village, pursued a suspicious vehicle near Amlarem. The vehicle, bearing registration number ML04 D 7339, was intercepted near Sanmala Guest House after a brief chase from the Lad Demthring area. Four Bangladeshi nationals were found inside, while the driver was identified as Vishal Dkhar of Dawki.
At the same time, police detained two Indian touts, identified as Meban Dkhar and Melari Rasmut, from Lad Demthring along with another vehicle bearing registration number ML04 D 4739.
Multiple vehicles intercepted during naka checking
During interrogation, Meban Dkhar disclosed that three more vehicles carrying Bangladeshi nationals were travelling from Jowai towards Dawki. Acting on this tip-off, police immediately set up naka checking in the Amlarem market area.
Around 3.45 am, three vehicles were intercepted during the check. Police recovered 14 Bangladeshi nationals from the vehicles—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.
Case registered, vehicles seized
In total, police apprehended 18 Bangladeshi nationals, two Indian touts and five drivers, and seized five vehicles used for the illegal movement. 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.
Reaffirming their commitment to border security, West Jaintia Hills Police appealed to village headmen and VDP members across the district to remain vigilant and actively assist law enforcement agencies in preventing illegal activities and safeguarding local communities.