Shillong: Two individuals were apprehended by villagers in Mawpdeng, near the Assam-Meghalaya border, on the evening of March 25, 2025, for possessing country-made weapons and suspected dry elephant meat.
The suspects, identified as Qurenius Muktieh (27) from Korhadem village and Jethril Umbah (32) from Pamlatar, were handed over to authorities under Umsiang Outpost in Ri-Bhoi District.
Following their detention, both suspects underwent medical examinations while the seized weapons and meat were sent for forensic analysis. The arrests have intensified an ongoing investigation into elephant poaching activities in the region.
According to forest officials from the Sonapur Range under Kamrup East Division, Basistha, Guwahati, two elephant deaths have been reported since November 2024. The first incident was recorded on November 16, 2024, while the second elephant carcass was discovered on March 18, 2025. Authorities suspect the two men may have links to these poaching cases.
A case has been registered at Khanapara Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. Law enforcement and forest authorities continue their investigation to uncover further details and identify other potential accomplices.
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