Shillong, March 13: Meghalaya police have arrested six people, including two alleged kingpins from Haryana, in connection with three ATM robberies across East Khasi Hills district that resulted in the theft of nearly ₹1 crore.
Addressing media persons on Friday, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said a special investigation team traced the suspected masterminds—Salim (36) and Rahul (31)—to Nuh district in Haryana, where they were apprehended on March 10. Two local facilitators from Shillong, John Fishal Lyngkhoi (32) and Joyous Dora (47), were also arrested.
According to police, the accused were involved in three ATM thefts in the district. The first incident occurred on May 21, 2025, when ₹28.13 lakh was looted from an ATM at Mawkriah. The second robbery took place on December 30, 2025, at Smit, where ₹35.57 lakh was stolen. The third incident was reported on February 8, 2026, at Mylliem, where the accused made away with ₹35 lakh.
Police said the gang executed the robberies with remarkable speed and precision, taking roughly seven minutes to carry out each operation. “We have actually never seen such professional people looting ATMs so fast,” SP Vivek Syiem said.
Following the registration of three cases—two under Mawngap Police Station and one under Madanrting Police Station—a seven-member team from Meghalaya police travelled to Haryana on February 27 to track down the suspects. Working with the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) in Haryana, the team arrested Salim and Rahul on March 10 before apprehending the Shillong-based facilitators.
“These people are wanted in many such ATM cases across the country,” Syiem said, adding that courts granted five-day police remand for the two Haryana suspects and six days’ remand for the local accused.
Meanwhile, the investigation led to two additional arrests in Assam. A team led by the DSP (Crime) left for the state on March 12 and arrested Rijol Garim (38) from Jakhla in Bongaigaon district and Lius Ali (28) from Boragaon under Gorchuk Police Station. “We found incriminating evidence against these people,” the SP said.
Police believe the Shillong-based accused acted as local guides for the gang. According to investigators, contacts in Assam hired the Haryana-based ATM-cutting specialists while the Shillong facilitators helped identify targeted ATM locations.
“These people are local facilitators,” Syiem explained, adding that the two have extensive criminal backgrounds. “They are linked to activities ranging from drug trafficking to murder and other forms of criminal activities and have a history of crimes,” he said. Syiem said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely.
“Investigation is still on to arrest some of the culprits who are absconding. As and when we interrogate, we will get to know more people involved,” he added. The SP credited the success of the operation to coordinated efforts by police officers across different units.
When asked whether one of the accused was related to a politician, Syiem said he had no information on the matter. “I am not in the know. As to who they are related to is not part of the terms of reference of the investigation,” he stated.
Police also revealed that during the escort of accused Rahul in Haryana on March 10, a crowd of about 30 people attempted to free him. The incident occurred near Sikrawa after Rahul had been produced before a court in Nuh district.
According to Syiem, members of the crowd attempted to snatch a weapon from the police escort team, forcing officers to fire warning shots. “They had to resort to blank shots. One bullet ricochet hit a person, and that person is recovering,” he said. Haryana police have since registered a case in connection with the incident and have identified 12 persons involved in the attack.
The SP further clarified that investigators have found no involvement of bank employees in the ATM robberies in Meghalaya.
