Police preliminary report links East Jaintia Hills’ brutal murders to drug use & peddling

Shillong, July 10: DIG Eastern Range, Davis NR Marak, on Tuesday informed that the preliminary inquiry has revealed that the four persons, who were brutally murdered at Umpleng village in East Jaintia Hills District, were suspected to be drug users and small time peddlers.

“These persons (victims) were drug users and they are also suspected to be some small-time drug peddlers. This is what preliminary investigation has revealed,” Marak told reporters.

He also said police have got some information about some suspects involved in the murder case. “We already have some clue and we hope that we will get a breakthrough very soon,” he said.

Asked, the DIG said that drug issue is serious in East Jaintia Hills because it is not only a transit route but there are also end users of this.

“Not only SIT has been instituted (into the case) but we are monitoring from the police headquarter not only from range office but DGP herself is also monitoring (the case),” he added.

On July 6, four persons were found brutally murdered with their heads severed in remote Umpleng village.

According to police, the victims were also found with their hands and feet bound in the same place in a forested area in the outskirts of the village.

So far, three of the deceased persons have been identified by their family members. They include: Ravi Rai (23) of Patha Elam, Nepal; Nazar Kyndait (33) of Dkhiah East Pohshnong, East Jaintia Hills District; and Rajesh Rai (26) from Dharan Sunsari, Koshi Anchal, Nepal.

A criminal case has been registered with the Khliehriat police station.