In a chilling incident that has reverberated across Meghalaya and Assam, the charred remains of three men were discovered on Wednesday, April 17, in East Garo Hills district.
Identified as Jomor Ali, Noor Mohammad, and Zahidul Islam, all residents of Dolgoma village in Assam’s Goalpara district, their bodies were recovered from a pit in the jungle near Rogu Alda village, under the jurisdiction of Rongjeng police station.
The Superintendent of Police, Stephen Aleric Rynjah, expressed suspicion that the deaths were a result of criminal rivalry between groups involved in car theft and cattle rustling. Zahidul Islam had a record of involvement in car lifting cases in Dudhnoi and Krishnai, with an outstanding non-bailable warrant against him under Krishnai PS. Similarly, Jomor Ali was implicated in cattle theft cases under Matia PS, Assam.
According to reports, the victims had left their homes on April 15, reportedly hired by unidentified individuals for undisclosed tasks in Meghalaya. Their last communication with relatives occurred on April 16 at 6:00 AM, indicating they were having breakfast in a jungle area in Garo Hills. Subsequently, their phones were switched off, and attempts to contact them proved futile.
The investigation unfolded with the discovery of their burnt vehicle inside a dense forest, approximately 1.5 km from NH-217, connecting Dudhnoi to Baghmara. Near the vehicle, a freshly dug pit filled with fresh soil was found, leading to the retrieval of the charred bodies in the presence of law enforcement officials, forensic experts, and an executive magistrate.
An initial investigation suggests a grim scenario of criminal rivalry among car thieves and cattle rustlers, prompting the registration of a case under sections 302/201/435/34 IPC at Rongjeng police station for further inquiry.
The heinous nature of the crime has sparked demands from relatives for swift action, urging the Chief Ministers of both states to ensure a thorough investigation and apprehension of the perpetrators. With Meghalaya gearing up for elections in two days, tensions loom large along the border regions, underscoring the urgency of resolving the case promptly.
The brutal murder of the three Assam residents serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by organized crime and the imperative for collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies across state boundaries to combat such atrocities.
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