Arrested for looting students

SHILLONG, APR 29: Three persons were arrested for looting students who were on a sightseeing trip to a famous tourist spot in East Khasi hills district eight months ago.  “The arrest was also made to ensure that any attempt to tarnish the tourism industry in the state is thwarted,” SP (City) Vivek Syiem told reporters on Friday.

He said the arrest is also to ensure that such incident do not sent a wrong message across to those including tourists visiting the tourist spots in the state.

The three arrested have been identified as Jied Lang Sohtun (22) alias Raja of Riatsamthiah, Vishal Sohtun (23) alias Hep of Lumparing, Lumdorbar and Javid Sohtun (27) alias Babu also of Lumparing, Lumdorbar, Syiem said.

The incident took place at 3 pm on September 12, last year when the three accused came in a black Maruti car at Duwan Sing Syiem Bridge, Mawkdok and demanded Rs 10, 000 from the three students – Denzil Lyngdoh, Navjot Kaur Gill and Biryamjrit.

The students who all are studying outside the state, were on a sightseeing trip to Mawkdok, were taking photographs on the bridge.

Interestingly, the accused claiming that they are members of ngos threatened them that it was prohibited to take photographs of the surrounding hills and will have to pay the amount.

When the students were unable to pay the money, the accused took away their I Phone 6, I Phone 55, Nokia Dual SIM Phone and one DSLR Nikon B5 Camera.

Following the incident, the students immediately filed an FIR with the Sohra police station, the case of which later was handed over to special cell of East Khasi hills district.

Syiem informed that the stolen items which were wrapped in a plastic and kept inside a small hole recovered from Mawkdok jungle, while the camera was handed over by wife of Javid.

The black Maruti car bearing registration no ML 05 E 2642 used by them was also seized. When asked, the SP said that the accused do not belong to any ngos but are mere daily wage labourers.

Meanwhile, the three accused persons have been remanded to five days police custody.-By Our Reporter