Man, 12 bodyguards held in Shillong after air gun seizure

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 5, 2025

The state police has arrested one Mebanshem Snaitang along with his bodyguards for allegedly impersonating as law enforcement personnel after air guns were seized from their possession.

Snaitang and the other men wearing black outfits, were detained near the Secretariat on Friday evening.

Five nitro air guns, along with black uniforms and walkie-talkies were also seized from his three vehicles: an Audi, a Scorpio, and an Innova Toyota.

The air guns were found in the vehicles, sparking suspicion that they might be used to intimidate people.

East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said, “Today at about 2.30 pm one Audi A4 (Red colour) without registration number, one Scorpion (ML 05 AF 0309) and Toyota Innova (black colour) (T0922 ML7411A) were seen parked outside Shoppers Stop, IGP. All vehicles had tinted glass where one of them was fitted with a siren and all of these vehicles were owned by Mebanshem Snaitang, a resident of Pohkseh Shillong. In the vehicles 12 men dressed in black fatigues appearing to be bodyguards of Snaitang were present.”

On further checking, five guns (airguns), 2 air pistols, 6 magazine pouches, 2 laptops, 5 handheld sets and AS number plates were found and seized accordingly.

“A case is being registered for impersonation of law enforcement personnel intimidation and Arms Act at Sadar police station,” the SP said while adding further investigation will be carried out to ascertain if they are involved in any other criminal acts.

Before being taken into custody, Snaitang told reporters that the seized items were air guns and questioned the government’s authority to seize them, stating, “These are air guns. Is there a rule for the government of Meghalaya to seize the air gun?”