Shillong, April 15: Meghalaya Police have revealed that the three persons arrested for stealing a .303 rifle from the MCCL Factory store room in Sohra had intended to sell the weapon for financial gain.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem informed on Wednesday that the stolen rifle, bearing number 3709740, was successfully recovered from the residence of Alpha Mary Jyrwa, grandmother of one of the accused, at Mawkisyiem in Sohra.
The weapon had been reported missing on April 11. Following intensive investigation, Sohra Police managed to trace and arrest the three accused—Shaiborlang Jyrwa, Sawbor Sooting, and Teilang Sohkhia.
According to the SP, the motive behind the theft was purely financial. The accused allegedly planned to sell the rifle to individuals involved in hunting animals or birds in order to earn money.
Police stated that further interrogation of the trio is ongoing to gather more details related to the case.
Syiem also pointed out that improper storage of the firearm contributed to the theft. He stressed the need for stronger security measures, stating that such weapons should be kept in properly secured armouries to prevent similar incidents in the future.
