Shillong: A coordinated law enforcement operation by Meghalaya Police resulted in the apprehension of three individuals suspected of involvement in a significant human trafficking syndicate operating between Bangladesh and India.
The arrests occurred near Byrnihat on March 18th, marking a crucial step in combating illegal cross-border activities.
Acting on specific intelligence regarding illicit border crossings, police established a checkpoint at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday. A vehicle bearing registration number AS-01-FJ-4645 was intercepted, revealing a complex operation involving forged documents and human smuggling. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered Jannati Sheikh, a 26-year-old Bangladeshi national hailing from Khulna. Sheikh was found in possession of a fabricated Indian Aadhaar card, indicating a deliberate attempt to conceal her identity and nationality.
The vehicle’s driver, identified as Raushan Khan, a resident of Barpeta, Assam, was immediately taken into custody. During subsequent interrogation, both Sheikh and Khan reportedly confessed to their roles within a larger network that facilitates the illegal transportation of individuals across the international border. They allegedly operated on a payment basis, profiting from the vulnerability of those seeking unauthorized entry.
Further investigation, stemming from the initial interrogations, led to the arrest of a third suspect, Balajied Khongsun, a 27-year-old resident of Wahlyngkhat in the East Khasi Hills District. Khongsun’s arrest suggests a local connection to the international trafficking operation, highlighting the network’s reach within the region.
The case has been formally registered at Nongpoh Police Station under case number 39(03)2025. Authorities have invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Foreigners Act of 1946. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement officials diligently pursuing all leads to dismantle the remaining components of this human trafficking network.
Read More: Arunachal Pays Homage to Adi Warriors in New Memorial Inauguration