Guwahati: Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills police arrested 18 Bangladeshi nationals along with two Indian touts in a coordinated operation on Tuesday, officials confirmed.
The operation started around 3:00 AM. The district’s police special team coordinated with the Headman and Village Defence Party (VDP) of Demthring village to stop vehicles suspected of carrying undocumented foreigners near the India-Bangladesh border.
Acting on a tip-off that a group of Bangladeshi nationals was being transported from Jowai to Dawki, authorities first intercepted a vehicle (ML-04D/7339) near Sanmala Guest House in Amlarem. The car, driven by Vishal Dkhar of Dawki, was stopped after a short chase from Lad Demthring.
During the initial stage, two Indian nationals, Meban Dkhar and Melari Rasmut, were also held at Lad Demthring with their vehicle (ML-04D/4739). Interrogation revealed that three more vehicles carrying Bangladeshi nationals were heading along the same route.
Police quickly set up checkpoints near Amlarem market and intercepted the three vehicles around 3:45 AM. The vehicles, driven by Blessing Pamthied, Twel Rongngi, and Rimi Lyngdoh, were transporting 14 Bangladeshi nationals from nearby villages.
In total, the police seized five vehicles and took into custody 18 Bangladeshi nationals, two Indian intermediaries, and five drivers. All are being held for further investigation.
A case has been filed, and the detainees are facing charges under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, according to officials.
The district Superintendent of Police underlined the force’s focus on border control, while urging local headmen and VDP members to support efforts to prevent illegal crossings.