Resubelpara, Oct 12: North Garo Hills police arrested two habitual offenders after a motorcycle accident led to the discovery of stolen property and homemade weapons near Berubari under Bajengdoba Police Station on Saturday night.
According to police, the two men — identified as Walchang K. Sangma, a resident of Salmanpara in South West Garo Hills, and Mikselbirth Sangma alias Niksengbirth, from Gabil Bisa under Rongjeng in East Garo Hills — were caught after their stolen motorcycle (ML 07 B 7072, Bajaj Platina) collided with a roadside tree along National Highway 51.
Locals, who initially rushed to the scene believing it was a routine road accident, alerted police after discovering arms and suspicious items in the duo’s bags. Before the police arrived, the mob reportedly assaulted the injured men, mistaking them for armed criminals.
Police swiftly intervened, rescuing the two and seizing the motorcycle and the bags. Upon inspection, officers recovered two handmade wooden firearms with barrels, five mobile phones, a khukri, and other items, including clothing and medical supplies.
A medical examination later confirmed that both accused had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Walchang sustained injuries to his forehead and hands, and Mikselbirth suffered leg and hip injuries.
Further investigation revealed that both men had criminal histories. Walchang had previously been arrested in a crime against women case in Ampati and had served seven years in judicial custody. Mikselbirth had been arrested earlier in a kidnapping case under the Ampati Police Station.
Police said the two first met inside Tura District Jail, where they allegedly conspired to commit further crimes after release. During interrogation, they admitted to stealing three mobile phones from a public bus and the motorcycle from Rongmil, East Garo Hills, on the night of October 10, intending to sell the stolen items in Assam.
Rongjeng Police later confirmed that a case — Rongjeng PS Case No. 19/2025 under Section 303(2) BNS — had been registered regarding the motorcycle theft.
In a startling revelation, Walchang confessed that he had personally crafted the two wooden firearms at his grandmother’s house at RC Road, Tura, intending to use them to threaten people during criminal activities.
The North Garo Hills Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and said further investigation is underway.
