ITANAGAR, March 22: A fierce gunfight broke out at Hollongi this evening as police attempted to apprehend Rohit Basumatary, a notorious interstate drug supplier, leading to injuries to two police personnel and the suspect.
The operation was executed by the Capital Police, led by SDPO Itanagar Kengo Dirchi under the supervision of SP Rohit Rajbir Singh (IPS) , based on prior intelligence about narcotics trafficking into Arunachal Pradesh. DIGP Itanagar Tumme Amo (IPS), has also confirmed the report.
According to SP Itanagar RR Singh (IPS) police had set up barricades and checkpoints in the Hollongi area near Sogo Resort after receiving information about a drug consignment being smuggled into the state. The police were provided with only the last two digits of the suspect’s Assam-registered vehicle number and remained on high alert to intercept it.
When the vehicle was spotted and signaled to stop, Basumatary tried to speed through the barricades, crashing into an electric pole. As police moved in to arrest him, he opened fire, hitting SDPO Dirchi’s vehicle before fleeing into a nearby forest.
The police team, including OC K Yangfo and Sub-Inspector Tamo Bakhang, immediately chased the suspect into the jungle. As officers closed in, Basumatary fired at SI Bakhang, but the police, wearing bulletproof jackets, escaped serious injuries.
In the retaliatory exchange, Basumatary was shot in his right leg and was swiftly apprehended by the police. He was taken into custody and shifted to R.K. Mission Hospital for treatment, as per standard protocol before formal arrest.
SP Rohit Rajbir Singh confirmed that Basumatary is a key figure in the narcotics trade across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, wanted in multiple drug-related cases. The police had been tracking his movements for over ten days before executing the well-planned operation.
During the encounter, a police personnel named Manish was also injured, but his condition is reported to be stable.
Following the successful operation, SP Singh issued a stern warning to drug traffickers, stating: “We are fully equipped and committed to tackling the narcotics menace in Arunachal Pradesh. Any attempt to smuggle drugs into the state will be dealt with strictly.”
