Shillong: Mawlai Police, with support from the Special Operations Team (SOT), detained five individuals suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals at the ISBT junction in Mawlai Mawiong on Sunday. The group, which included two women, was reportedly en route to Bangladesh after travelling from Srinagar.
The detainees have been identified as Md. Fajid Bilul (47), Lelepa Begum (40), Musamat Jahana Khatoon (35), Md. Alamgir Mia (25), and Md. Imammul Hassan (18). Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted a tourist taxi bearing registration number ML05 S 1358 at the ISBT junction for inspection. Upon questioning, the occupants failed to produce valid passports or travel documents.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that the five were taken into custody and a case has been registered at Mawlai Police Station. Investigators are examining their route of travel and possible local connections.
All five suspects were produced before a local court on Sunday evening as legal proceedings continue.
