Shillong, July 24: In a concerning development, a man was detained by Indian Army officials on Monday for allegedly impersonating a Captain of the Assam Regiment and is under suspicion of espionage. The suspect, identified as Sar Chehon Rongpi from Rongpi Village in Dokmoka, Karbi Anglong District, Assam, was apprehended at the HQ 101 Area in Shillong.
According to an FIR filed by Sepoy Om Prakash, one of the Army officials involved, Rongpi was found roaming around various military stations in an Army uniform, falsely claiming to be a military officer. He was also found to be taking photographs of sensitive military installations.
Upon failing to produce any official identification to substantiate his claims, Rongpi was detained and questioned. A search of his mobile phone revealed sensitive military photos and videos, including images of convoys, weapons like AK-47 rifles, and military establishments.
The suspect reportedly provided inconsistent information about his alleged unit affiliation, initially claiming to be from 119 TA Assam, then from 15 Assam Regiment. However, inquiries made by the Army officials to these units confirmed that no such person was on record.
Rongpi later claimed to be a porter in Arunachal Pradesh and then a cook. He also confessed to having entered the HQ 101 Area multiple times from different gates, each time falsely identifying himself as a Captain from the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC).
Following a thorough investigation by the Army, Rongpi was handed over to the Meghalaya Police on Tuesday night for further inquiry. The police will likely investigate the full extent of Rongpi's activities and determine if he was involved in any espionage-related offenses.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and security measures at military installations to prevent unauthorized access and potential threats. The Army's swift action in apprehending the suspect demonstrates their commitment to safeguarding national security.
