Aizawl, May 15: Police in Assam’s Cachar district have arrested two men from Mizoram for allegedly collecting facial biometric data from local residents without valid authorisation while reportedly claiming links to a United States-based multinational company.
The arrests followed an investigation into a biometric registration exercise conducted earlier this week at a marriage hall in Silchar, where several local youths were invited to undergo facial recognition and biometric scanning procedures in exchange for small monetary payments.
According to Cachar Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Rajat Pal, the accused had allegedly collected sensitive biometric information from residents “without proper authorisation or clear documentation.”
The two arrested individuals were identified as Vanlalrinchhana (33) and Raymond Vatha Chozah (34), both residents of Mizoram who had reportedly been staying in Silchar for the past several months.
Police said more than 200 residents, mostly youths, had already submitted facial recognition details and biometric impressions before authorities intervened in the matter.
“They collected facial recognition data and biometric impressions of more than 200 residents, mostly youths, but they are unable to show any valid reason for the exercise,” Pal said.
Investigators initially detained the duo for questioning before formally arresting them. A case has been registered at Silchar Sadar Police Station under cheating charges along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.
Police are also examining the nature of the alleged association with the American company mentioned during the registration process. Several participants reportedly told investigators that they had been informed the exercise was linked to a “special scheme” involving a US-based multinational firm.
The incident has triggered concerns over the unauthorised collection and possible misuse of sensitive biometric information, particularly involving young people who may not have fully understood how their personal data would be stored or utilised.
