A key suspect in the disappearance of a six-year-old girl from Rajasimla village in North Garo Hills, Meghalaya, has been arrested as police intensify efforts to locate the missing child. Sonjith Arengh, who had been on the run, was apprehended on Thursday in Mitegittim village by the North Garo Hills Police, with help from local residents and personnel from the Adokgre Police Station. Authorities confirmed that he was preparing to flee the state when he was captured.
Arengh is a repeat offender, currently facing trial in a 2017 case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, registered at Kharkutta Police Station. He had been released on bail and was awaiting trial when a second POCSO case was filed against him in 2025, after which he absconded. Police had already filed a chargesheet in this more recent case.
The missing girl was last seen on July 18, reportedly vanishing from her home’s courtyard while her parents were at work. Her disappearance triggered an immediate large-scale search operation that involved police, villagers, and rescue teams. In response, the North Garo Hills police-led by Superintendent Pawar Swapnil Vasantrao and Additional SP Ravi Sangma-launched a coordinated effort that now includes teams from Kharkutta Police Station, a K9 Unit from CID Shillong, and Search and Rescue Teams. Drones and sniffer dogs have been deployed to cover the forested terrain, known to harbor wild animals, including elephants.
Authorities have also requested assistance from Assam Police due to the proximity to the inter-state border. More than 500 villagers have joined the ground search, providing not only manpower but also food and logistical support to the search teams. Aerial surveillance, assisted by the Forest Department, is being employed to minimize risks for search personnel on foot.
While the suspect is currently under interrogation, the missing child has yet to be found. The police are treating the case with urgency and are urging the public to report any leads immediately.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-suspect-arrested-in-missing-girl-case-search-intensifies-in-north-garo-hills-1250236-2025-07-25?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-07-25 09:17:00
