Amlarem: West Jaintia Hills Police arrested 18 Bangladeshi nationals, along with two Indian touts and five drivers, during a coordinated early-morning operation on January 20 to curb illegal cross-border movement in the district.
🚨 Meghalaya: 18 ILLEGAL Bangladeshi nationals ARRESTED in West Jaintia Hills district.
Two Indian facilitators, Meban Dkhar and Melari Rasmut, have also been ARRESTED. pic.twitter.com/b6kw7akF7Y
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) January 22, 2026
According to police, the operation began around 3 am when a special team, assisted by the Demthring village headman and members of the Village Defence Party (VDP), noticed a suspicious vehicle near Amlarem. The vehicle, bearing registration number ML04 D 7339, was chased from the Lad Demthring area and intercepted near Sanmala Guest House. Four Bangladeshi nationals were found inside, while the driver was identified as Vishal Dkhar of Dawki.
Simultaneously, police detained two Indian touts, Meban Dkhar and Melari Rasmut, from Lad Demthring along with another vehicle bearing registration number ML04 D 4739.
During interrogation, Meban Dkhar revealed that three additional vehicles carrying Bangladeshi nationals were travelling from Jowai towards Dawki. Acting on this information, police immediately set up a naka check in the Amlarem market area.
Around 3.45 am, three vehicles were intercepted. Fourteen Bangladeshi nationals were recovered from the vehicles: ML05 AD 6424, driven by Blessing Pamthied of Jarain village; ML04 D 4993, driven by Twel Rongngi of Shkentalang village; and ML04 E 0640, driven by Rimi Lyngdoh of the same village.
In total, police apprehended 18 Bangladeshi nationals, two Indian touts, and five drivers, and seized five vehicles used in the illegal movement. A case has been registered, and all accused have been taken into custody for further legal action under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Reaffirming their commitment to border security, West Jaintia Hills Police have appealed to village headmen and VDP members across the district to remain vigilant and actively assist law enforcement agencies in preventing illegal activities and safeguarding local communities.
