SHILLONG: The Sohra Police have successfully recovered a .303 rifle that was stolen from the Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) factory and have arrested three local youths involved in the crime.
According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, the primary motive behind the theft was to sell the firearm to bird hunters in the Sohra area as a means to make quick money.
The incident came to light on April 11, 2026, when Home Guards personnel stationed at the MCCL factory reported that a .303 rifle was missing from their designated store room. Following the First Information Report (FIR), Sohra Police registered a case (Sohra PS Case No. 10/2026) under sections 305 (e), 324 (3), and 331 (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an intensive investigation.
Through diligent efforts, the police identified and picked up two suspects on Wednesday evening: Shaiborlang Jyrwa (21) of Marai Thymmai, Sohra, and Sawbor Sooting (20) of Mawkisyiem, Sohra.
During the subsequent interrogation, the two suspects confessed to stealing the rifle from the Administrative Building of MCCL.
They further revealed that they had hidden the weapon at the residence of Shaiborlang’s grandmother, Alpha Mary Jyrwa Nongseij, located in Mawkisyiem.
Acting on this information, the police conducted a search of the premises and recovered the .303 rifle, bearing serial number 3709740, which was then seized in the presence of independent witnesses.
A third accomplice, Teilang Sohkhia (19) of Marai Thymmai, was also apprehended later for his involvement in the theft.
Reflecting on the security lapse, SP Vivek Syiem noted that the theft was made possible because the weapon was not stored in a secure, designated armoury.
He emphasized the critical need for proper storage facilities for official firearms to prevent them from falling into the hands of criminals.
The three accused individuals remain in police custody and are scheduled to be produced in court tomorrow for further legal proceedings.
