Police have busted an inter-state gang allegedly involved in a series of ATM thefts across East Khasi Hills district, arresting six individuals in connection with robberies that led to the theft of more than ₹98 lakh over the past year. The arrests followed a coordinated investigation spanning Meghalaya, Haryana, and Assam, highlighting a determined effort by law enforcement to tackle organised crime networks operating across state borders. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the operation came after a string of high-value ATM heists that had unsettled the district over recent months.
“Three ATM theft incidents were reported in the district in recent months. The first occurred on May 21, 2025, when miscreants broke into an ATM booth at Mawkriah and decamped with ₹28,13,100. Another theft was reported on December 30, 2025, at an ATM booth in Smit, where ₹35,57,000 was stolen. In a similar incident on February 8, 2026, unknown miscreants targeted an ATM booth at Mylliem and fled with approximately ₹35,00,000,” he said. Cases were registered at Mawngap and Madanrting police stations under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), prompting investigators to launch an extensive probe that led to the identification of suspects believed to be part of an organised inter-state network.
On February 27, 2026, a seven-member Special Cell team from East Khasi Hills, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) Simseng Sangma, was dispatched to Nuh district in Haryana to track the accused. Coordinating with the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) unit of Nuh district from March 9, the team arrested two key suspects — Salim (26) of Dorakhi, Mewat, and Rahul (31) of Bazidpur — from Nuh city and Pingwan on March 10. A court granted five days of police custody for interrogation.
In Meghalaya, investigators apprehended two alleged local facilitators — John Fishal Lyngkhoi (32) of Umpling and Joyous Dura (47) of Mawlai Nongkwar — who were remanded to six days of police custody. In a related operation on March 12, another Special Cell team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime) Bipul Das arrested Rejaul Korim (38) from Chakla under Abhayapuri police station in Bongaigaon district and Lius Ali (28) of Boragaon, Seujinagar under Gorchuk police station. Police said incriminating items were seized from the accused and efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other absconding members of the network.
“Further investigation is under way to identify and arrest other members of the network who remain absconding. Efforts are continuing to dismantle the entire gang and recover stolen cash,” the police added.
