SHILLONG, OCT 8: In less than 24 hours after the robbery, the East Khasi hills police on Wednesday arrested a six-member robbery-gang led by a hardcore criminal after they looted Rs 2.82 lakh from the passengers of two vehicles including a bus at Laitumsaw village in East Khasi hills district.
East Khasi hills SP M Kharkhrang said on Wednesday evening, “Within less than 24 hours after the incident, police was able to arrest Pynshai Rani alias Newstar Kharbani (32), who is leader of the gang which led to arrest of all five others involved in looting the passengers.”
The other accused have been identified as Balbir Singh (26), Raju Biswas (35) and Monu Singh (23), all from Sweeper Lane Bara Bazar, Govind Chettry (38) of Lumkshaid, Mawprem and Phrangkupar Nongrang (38) of Mawlai Phudmawrie, he said.
The robbery took place after the group of six masked men way laid a star bus (ML 06 5380) and a Maruti car (ML 05 G 1037) at Laitumsaw village under Mawsynram police station and looted cash Rs 2.82 lakh, ornaments and other items from the passengers.
The bus was carrying at least 30 passengers and was on its way to Shillong.
According to the police, this was the same gang leader who was behind the recent robbery on a petrol outlet at 3rd Mile, Upper Shillong.
Considering the seriousness of the crime, the case was immediately taken up by special cell of SP’s office, Kharkrang said.
During investigation police got very less clues from the victims who only said that the masked robbers were speaking in Khasi and Nepali. Police based their investigation on this revelation and conducted operations.
Stating that all the accused had been arrested earlier for dacoity and robbery, Kharkhrang revealed that the gang leader Rani who was detained under Meghalaya Prevention Detention Act (MPDA) twice in 2004 and 2007, continue to indulge in criminal activities adding he has more than fifteen cases pending trial against him in different courts.
Kharkhrang also added that Raju Biswas was arrested earlier for robbery and murder.
One country made revolver, three daggers, cash Rs 28, 500; four stolen mobile phones were also recovered from the possession of the accused.
Police also recovered the gold ring which was in melted form of the gold stolen from the passengers beside a local taxi bearing registration number ML 05 H 8182 which was used by accused to escape from the crime scene.
“All the accused have been remanded to eight days police custody,” Kharkhrang informed adding they have been booked under section relating to dacoity, robbery and illegal possession of arms.
Meanwhile, Kharkhrang said that the district police are committed in making efforts to ensure safety of all commuters even if they are travelling in the remote places of the district.
“Anybody who commits any crime, we will hunt them down and they cannot escape the hands of the law,” SP (City) Vivek Syiem said.
Police said they are also contemplating booking Rani and others under MPDA.- By Our Reporter
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