Meghalaya police arrest 9 in connection with gang rape of minors at South West Garo Hills

NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said that suspected Rohingya infiltrators could be behind the incident.

Meghalaya police have arrested nine individuals in connection with the alleged brutal assault and gangrape of 2 minors at the annual Chenga Benga Mela in the South West Garo Hills (SWGH) district on April 16, 2024.

In a statement issued on Sunday, South West Garo Hills SP Vikash Kumar said, “Based on the information related to alleged abduction, criminal intimidation, assault, and gang rape of minors on April 16 at Chenga Benga Mela, a cognisable case has been registered and is being investigated.”
“Incriminating evidence were collected from the scene of crime and based on the statements of the survivors, medical examination reports, and other evidence, nine accused have already been arrested till date.” it said.

Reportedly, all the arrested accused are residents of Teporpara village in Assam which is located near the scene of crime and the arrests have been made with the assistance of South Salmara district police.
Seven mobile phones have been seized from the possession of the arrested persons, and the data were analyzed meticulously.

Police reports stated that, during the course of investigation, it was learnt that the criminals had snatched a mobile phone from one person and also, threatened and extorted money from another person.
In this connection, two cognizable cases have been registered and are being investigated.

The police have assured that all other accused will be soon arrested. Police have also urged citizens to reach out and share any information on the criminals involved in the case.

Earlier on Sunday, a team of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights led by Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo met the family members of the two minor girls, who were allegedly gangraped by a group of men.

NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said that suspected Rohingya infiltrators could be behind the incident.

He has also shared a video on his social media platform X, in which he reached the crime spot with the police team.

Kanungo wrote on X, “I have come here with the NCPCR team to investigate the complaint in connection with the gang rape of minor girls in the attack during a tribal festival in South West Garo Hills’s Ampati district of Meghalaya. It is surprising that there has been no discussion at the national level on such a brutal crime against tribal children. According to the complaint, the culprits are suspected to be illegal Rohingya intruders. Investigation is underway.”

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