The Guwahati Police on Sunday busted a gang of robbers and seized 110 stolen mobile handsets and other valuables found in their possession. A policeman sustained injuries during the operation.
A report published in the The Telegraph quoted Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) (Basistha), Nandini Kakati, who led the operation, as saying, “We have apprehended seven members of the gang from near Basistha Chariali around 4 am and seized 110 mobile handsets, gold ornaments like necklaces, earrings and bangles, a TV, a laptop and one desktop computer from their hideout.” Kakati’s personal security officer, Barun Taye, sustained injuries when he was attacked by one of the robbers with a machete. He was injured in his abdomen and hands.
The report further stated that the police have also seized three scooters and several sharp weapons used by them to commit crimes. The ACP said the accused were under the “influence of drugs” at the time of their arrest and empty syringes were recovered from them.
“The arrested persons, four of whom are below 20 years of age, had taken to crime to fund their addiction to drugs,” she said. Nandini further stated that the gang is believed to be involved in several robberies and snatchings in Basistha and its adjoining areas, particularly on National Highway 27 bypass. They used to mostly target truck drivers on the highway, she added.
The police had launched the operation to arrest them after they received a tip-off that the members of the gang would meet at a place near Basistha Chariali on Sunday morning. The accused were identified as Abhisek Dey,18, and Nantu Dhar,18, both residents of Bengali Basti in Basistha, Boloram Brahma,18, of Beharbari, Sanjoy Singh, 18, of Natun Basti in Basistha, Joon Ali, 32, of Bhella in Barpeta district, Ajit Rabha, 20, of Lalmati, and Rahul Choudhury, 28, of Patarkuchi in Basistha.
