Nongpoh, Oct 22: Ri Bhoi police have busted an extortion racket that was in the business of demanding money from non-tribal traders in the district. The major breakthrough came on Monday with the arrest of 4 members of the group, operating under the banner of Hynniewtrep National United Federation (HNUF). While 3 members were caught red-handed, the alleged leader and mastermind was caught little later based on the statements of the trio.

A police official informed that the arrests were made following credible intelligence that Simon Jyrwa and his associates had conspired to raise funds for HNUF by extorting several non-tribal traders operating in the district. In response to this information, police formed a Special Team and launched a surveillance operation to monitor the illegal activities of the HNUF members.

The Special Team caught three individuals, identified as Simon Jyrwa, Alton Wahlang, and Francis Wahlang, red-handed while collecting the demanded money from a restaurant in Pahamri-oh, Nongpoh on Monday at around 2:10 PM, informed Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Police (SP), Jagpal Singh Dhanoa.

During initial interrogation, the detained individuals admitted to being directed by one Rangsngur Warjri, who claims to be both the president of the Meghalaya People Federation (MPF) and HNUF. Warjri was subsequently apprehended from Umsning in connection with the case, the SP added.

Dhanoa also mentioned that the police have filed a suo moto case at the Nongpoh Police Station and the case is under investigation.

The district police chief also noted that as the owner and manager of the restaurant are non-tribals, they did not want to file an FIR fearing repercussions from these local youth, which they thought would affect the smooth running of their business. Due to which, the police have filed the suo moto case.

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