Shillong: Police have arrested six individuals, including two Khasi men, for their alleged involvement in a series of ATM robberies in East Khasi Hills district.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the arrested persons include one individual from Smit, one from Mawlai Nongkwar, two from Assam and two from Haryana. They are accused of being part of a gang responsible for looting three ATMs in the district.
According to the SP, the first robbery took place on May 21, 2025, when the gang looted an ATM at Mawkriah and fled with around ₹28.13 lakh. The second incident occurred on December 30, 2025, when an ATM at Smit was targeted and ₹35.57 lakh was stolen. The third robbery was reported on February 8 this year at an ATM in Mylliem, from which the gang reportedly made away with around ₹35 lakh.
Police said the gang was highly organised and required only about seven minutes to break open and loot each ATM.
Following the incidents, a Special Cell team of the Meghalaya Police launched an investigation on March 9, with assistance from the Central Investigating Agency (CIA) of Haryana. During the investigation, police first arrested Salim (26) and Rahul (31), who are suspected to have been involved in multiple ATM robberies.
Further arrests led to the detention of John Fishal Lyngkhoi (32) of Umpling and Joyous Dura (47) of Mawlai Nongkwar, one of whom was earlier associated with the Special Operations Team (SOT). Both have been remanded to six days of police custody.
Meanwhile, another team from the Special Cell travelled to Assam and arrested two more suspects identified as Rejaul Karim (38) and Lius Ali (28), who are also believed to have played a role in the ATM heists.
Police said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the gang’s activities.
