Shillong, Aug 9: Motives of four Bangladeshi intruders, who were caught in South West Khasi Hills border, are yet to be ascertained as their statements varied from searching for geckos and taking refuge in India, claiming to be Awami League members.
However, the police believe that they were on the Meghalaya border to carry out dacoity and extort money from businessmen.
The incident of intrusion was from 12 am to 1 am on August 8 at Rongdongai area of the district which is around 8 km away from the International border.
The introducers assaulted a resident identified as Balsrang Marak as they entered. They blindfolded him before assaulting him, police said.
When contacted, South West Khasi Hills SP B.Jyrwa said they were in search of a shopkeeper, and the next day, a quarry owner called the police, informing them that the workers had seen the intruders.
When police went there, the miscreants tried to open fire and escaped, the official said.
“However, on August 9 morning, the villagers caught the first intruder identified as Mefus Rahman (35), son of Rehan Uddin, a resident of Debidar area, Cummila district of Bangladesh, and later the police, BSF and the people of Chibak area detained three intruders identified as Jangir Along (25), son of Fazlul Haque, a resident of Kaziar Char under Jamalpur police station in Sadar Jamalpur district of Bangladesh, Meruphur Rahman (32), son of Kamul Hussain, a resident of Namapara, under Madargoan police station, Jamalpur district of Bangladesh and Saem Hussain (30), son of Sayed Hussain, a resident of Mizmizi under Siddirgonj police station, Narayangonj district of Bangladesh.
According to Jyrwa, the first person who was arrested claimed that he was hunting geckos, and the trio who were arrested later said they were members of the Awami League, and they wanted to take refuge in India.
The first intruder was assaulted by the residents as they caught him.
What intrigued the police is that radio sets, masks, a fence cutter and an axe were recovered from the border through which they entered. Later, the police also recovered suspected explosive items.
According to the BSF, one motive appears to be hunting geckos for money.
When asked about the explosives, a senior BSF official said that the powdery substance is being examined.
