Police have arrested two more suspects in connection with the murder of activist Dilseng M. Sangma, taking the total number of arrests in the case to eight, officials said on Friday.According to police, the latest arrests were made late on Thursday night from Diara in South Salmara district of Assam. The two accused have been identified as Mozahidur Momin (22) and Mofidur Hussain (22). Their arrest was confirmed by the Superintendent of Police of West Garo Hills district. With these arrests, the number of people taken into custody in the case has increased to eight. The other accused already arrested include Rafiqul Islam (47), Anarul Islam (30), Atowar Islam (40), Ariful Islam (30), Bahadur Shiekh (21) and Mozidur Hussain (22). Police said Ariful Islam was apprehended earlier on the night of January 11.
Dilseng Sangma, a member of the pressure group ACHIK, was killed on January 9 while he was inspecting alleged illegal stone quarrying units in the Rajabala area of West Garo Hills district. The incident took place around 2 pm at Goalgoan village. Police said Sangma was attacked by a group of people during the inspection. The killing triggered strong reactions in the region, with demands for swift action against those involved in illegal quarrying activities and the assault on the activist. Police officials said that the owner of the stone quarry linked to the incident is still absconding. The Superintendent of Police stated that efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the quarry owner and that teams are conducting searches in different locations.
“The investigation is still in progress, and more arrests cannot be ruled out,” a police official said, adding that all angles of the case are being examined. Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured strict action against everyone involved in the killing. He said those responsible for the death of the ACHIK member under Rajabala Police Station would be brought to justice.