Suspected Bangla assailants target multiple victims

SHILLONG, Oct 20: A group of suspected Bangladeshi nationals reportedly carried out a series of violent assaults and robberies on October 16, targeting multiple victims across West Jaintia Hills (WJH) and South Garo Hills (SGH) districts.
According to a complaint lodged by one Henry Manner, the incident began around 1:30 am at Darrang Junction, NH-206 (WJH). Seven men armed with daggers and hammers attacked three truck drivers — Gliten Pale, Nicky Phawa, and Edamon Pyrtuh — who were transporting limestone in trucks with registration numbers ML-04A-5216 and ML-04B-4109. The attackers looted cash, mobile phones, and other belongings from the drivers, leaving them injured. The victims were taken to Nongtalang Community Health Centre (CHC), and Edamon Pyrtuh was later referred to Civil Hospital Jowai for further treatment.
Following this attack, the group proceeded to Bakur village in West Jaintia Hills, where they assaulted another victim, Lahripa Lamin, who was driving a Maruti Alto (ML-05Z-5449). The suspects stole Lamin’s mobile phone, vandalised the vehicle, and fled the scene.
In a joint operation by local residents and police, one suspect, identified as 21-year-old Apsulmian Raju, was apprehended. Raju, who failed to provide valid identification documents, is believed to be a Bangladeshi national.
Later that afternoon, in a separate incident in South Garo Hills, another Bangladeshi national armed with a dagger robbed two motorcycle riders of their belongings and stole their motorcycles after they had crossed the Netri BSF Camp.