From Sannio C Siangshai
JOWAI: Arrested several times in fraud cases, once for rape, a notorious criminal is now being wanted by Jowai Police as he duped many educated unemployed youth by promising them government jobs.
The fraudster, Heimon Malang (32), has been absconding since a woman, Niawbiang Ting, lodged a complaint on June 10 with Jowai Police accusing him of taking Rs 50,000 from her promising a job for her daughter in the office of the District Soil and Water Conservation Officer, Jowai.
Sources said Malang, who hails from Latyrke village in Jaintia Hills, had claimed to be an officer in the department while promising jobs for the educated unemployed youth.
Jowai Police have registered a case of fraud against Malang, who was released from jail in April last after being almost one month behind the bars.
He was arrested several times by Jaintia Hills Police in fraud cases including ones in which he claimed to be the nephew of MP Vincent H Pala to convince the victims that he had the clout among the who’s who in the government.
Jowai Police arrested him last year for allegedly raping a woman. He promised the woman a job and took her inside a car on the plea of verifying her documents. The woman was kidnapped by Malang before being raped. Khliehriat Police had also arrested the person for duping many youth in the area.
The fraudster, meanwhile, took Rs 30,000 from Laski Rymbai, a BSc 2nd year student from Wapung, promising him a job in the Forest department. Malang claimed himself to be a forest officer, the victim told reporters. However, the youth is yet to file any complaint in the hope that good sense will prevail and Malang would return his money.
Narrating his case, Rymbai said, “I and my elder sister met him accidentally in Jowai in April. I don’t know him personally but he knew my sister, who is a LP school teacher.” Malang introduced himself as Wanly War then.
The fraudster told them that to get a government job is very difficult, but if they can pay Rs 65000 he could get a direct appointment for the Rymbai.
After they had agreed to pay him the amount Malang brought them to Shillong on April 23 saying they would meet a senior officer at the DC Office, Shillong, who can give the appointment letter.
On reaching Shillong, Malang said the officer is out of station and asked for Rs 30000 as advance to be given to the officer later.
“After giving the money, we all had tea together. The person acts as a religious man and offered a good prayer while having tea at a local tea stall,” Rymbai said.