Car lifters in NE functioning under an Association

Shillong, Aug 27 (UNI) The Khasi Student's Union (KSU) has unearthed an association of carjackers operating in the North Eastern states under the banner of ''Motor Vehicle Kidnapping Association''.

The association of the carjackers came into light after KSU activists nabbed five persons, alleged to be members of the ''association'' which has its headquarters at Silchar in Assam, and handed them over to the police.

The five nabbed miscreants, who fell into the trap of the student's union, were identified as Lias Mia, Govin Chettri, Sunil Barman and Pradip Kalita, from Assam, Sonu Tamang Nongrum of Pynursla and Plom Bareh of Mynkre, Khliehriat Pohshnong in Meghalaya.

Mobile phones, daggers and a piece of paper, where the name of the ''association'' was written, were also seized from the possession of the gang members.

The miscreants said one Abdul Pate alias Lambu from Silchar is the leader of the carjackers in the region, while one John Lyngdoh alias 'Boss' is another leader who supervises whisking of vehicles from the coal-rich district of Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.

''The student activists unearthed the association of car-lifters,'' Jaintia District Superintendent of Police Mukesh K Singh told UNI over the phone today.

Mr Singh added that the five persons, handed over to the police, confessed of lifting vehicles from the districts.

According to sources, the members of the ''Motor Vehicle Kidnapping Association'' in Meghalaya received Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 per stolen vehicle as ''commission'' from the gang leader in Silchar.

Most of the vehicles stolen from the district were whisked away to Tezpur in Assam and later to Dimapur.

Meanwhile, police registered a case against the five and interrogation is on in the matter.

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