“This afternoon we arrested Dorphang and seven others from Khliehriat (in Jaintia Hills) based on an FIR filed against them for assault, intimidation and damage of private property,” Jaintia Hills District Superintendent of Police O Passi said.

The seven others who were arrested include Mayborn Rapthap, Itjanai Soanes, Armstrong, Batiar Herman Pakyntien, Richard Mawthoh, Ronnong Dohling and James Lyngwa.

All the arrested surrendered rebels were produced before the court of Additional District Magistrate under Khliehriat Sub-Division SC Laloo and were booked under Sections 120B, 447, 506 and 379 of the Indian Penal Code. Laloo remanded the accused to five days’ police custody.

Dorphlang and his men allegedly assaulted Testlang Rymbai, a local the coal baron at Madan Briwar in Jaintia Hills earlier this month. Rymbai, in his FIR, alleged that Dorphang damaged his coal mine, took away mining machineries worth Rs 20 lakh, besides forcibly carrying away two trucks of coal worth Rs 1, 80,000.