Shillong, March 27: Villagers of Mawpdeng, near the Assam-Meghalaya border, apprehended two individuals suspected of involvement in elephant poaching. The incident occurred on the evening of March 25, 2025, at approximately 7:30 PM in the jurisdiction of Umsiang Outpost, Ri-Bhoi District.
The suspects, identified as Qurenius Muktieh (27), son of Justin Sujai from Korhadem village, Umsohlait Police Station, and Jethril Umbah (32), son of Moris Mujai from Pamlatar village, were found in possession of two country-made weapons and dry elephant meat. Local villagers detained them and handed them over to the authorities.
The seized weapons and elephant meat have been forwarded for forensic analysis to determine their origin and connection to ongoing investigations.
Officials from the Sonapur Range under Kamrup East Division, Basistha, and Guwahati have confirmed that two elephant deaths have been reported in the region since November 2024. The first elephant carcass was discovered on November 16, 2024, while the second was recovered on March 18, 2025. Authorities suspect that the two apprehended individuals may be linked to these poaching incidents.
A case has been registered at Khanapara Police Station under case number 09(03)2025, invoking Sections 325/61(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with Sections 25(1) and 27(1) of the Arms Act. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and to identify any potential links to larger wildlife trafficking networks.
The incident has raised serious concerns among conservationists and wildlife authorities about the rising threat of elephant poaching in the Assam-Meghalaya border region.
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