Man threatens to plant bombs in city, arrested

SHILLONG, Jan 23: Police on Thursday arrested a man for threatening to plant multiple bombs in the city.
On Wednesday evening, a person filed an FIR to the effect that he received an SMS message from an unknown number threatening to plant multiple bombs in the city. The sender of the message had identified himself as a member of the “Ri-Bhoi gang”.
Police registered a case and the Special Operation Team (SOT) of East Khasi Hills immediately launched a search operation with the assistance of police from the neighbouring districts.
Following an overnight operation to identify the suspect, the SOT was able to zero down on Edward Maiong, 37, and arrested him from his temporary residence at Lower New Colony, Laitumkhrah.
The phone from which the SMS was sent has been recovered and seized.
Police declined to rule out the arrested person’s connections with militant outfits and said heavy security deployment has been made across the city.
Police have also intensified combing operations and patrolling in East Khasi Hills to thwart any attempt to disrupt the Republic Day celebrations.