Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Apr 20: A team of Dakshina Kannada district crime intelligence bureau has succeeded in busting an inter-state racket of vehicles and areca nut thieves. Five cars, a motor bike, and 20 gunny bags of husked areca nuts were seized from the possession of the gang early morning on Sunday, April 19.
The arrested persons are Imran from Vittal Mangilapadavu, Muhammed Mukseen from Nandavara, Akhter, a native of Kenjar who presently resides at Perne, Shifan from Uppinangady Hirebandady and Ummer Farooq from Padubidri Kannangar in Udupi district.
During their investigation, the police could relate the gang with various thefts which occurred in Uppinangady, Kerala, Manipal, several places located within the jurisdiction of Bantwal town and rural stations, Vittal, Beltangady etc. A team of policemen led by police circle inspector, Belliappa, in associated with personnel of district crime intelligence bureau had taken part in the raid.
The raid was conducted early morning on Sunday at Salethur within the limits of Vittal police station. The alleged thieves were caught when transporting six bags filled with areca nuts in two cars, a Maruti Ritz, and a Maruti Swift. During interrogation, the arrested persons revealed about various thefts they were involved with, both inside the state and outside, it is gathered. The policemen came to know that the accused were involved with theft of areca nut worth several lacs of rupees from Budoli within the limits of Vittal station, Ira and Vogga within the jurisdiction of the rural police station here, and Jarigebail which falls within the command area of Beltangady station.
The same gang had also stolen a Maruti 800 car and a Maruto Omni van from the town station limits here, apart from a motor bike from a place coming under Uppinangady station.
The value of vehicles and areca nut seized from the possession of the gang has been put at Rs 16 lac. The policemen said that they have found that a few of the arrested accused were released from jail earlier after being involved with incidents like a robbery in Manipal, assault at Vittal, ganja trafficking in Uppinangady, and abduction from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The police believe that several others are also involved with this racket. Bantwal police circle inspector, Belliappa, said that steps are being taken to intensify questioning process, and to arrest the remaining culprits who are presently at large.
The team led by K U Belliappa had functioned under the guidance of Dakshina Kannada district superintendent of police, Dr Sharanappa, additional superintendent of police, M Shekharappa, and Bantwal assistant superintendent of police, Rahul Kumar. The SP has praised the team and announced rewards for the members of the raiding team.