Inter-state bike theft racket busted

Darjeeling: The Alipurduar police got a major breakthrough in an inter-state bike theft racket with the arrest of eight persons. As many as four stolen bikes were also recovered.

"Recently six bike theft cases were registered under Shamuktala, Jaigaon and Alipurduar police stations in the district. We have recovered four bikes," stated Sunil Kumar Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Alipurduar.

While investigating the cases, one Prasanjit Das, alias Bhuttu, was arrested from Pakriguri under Kumargram police station. He revealed the name of one Mithun Burman who was then arrested.

Based on information received from the duo, six others were arrested including the kingpin — Phani Sarkar from Pundibari, Cooch Behar.

The arrested were produced at the Alipurduar Court on Monday.

The police had prayed for 14 days of remand. The Court remanded the arrested to 10 days of police custody.

"The bikes were being used for all sorts of illegal activities in lower Assam area including timber smuggling. The arrested were in contact with some militants as well but have not revealed their identities yet," claimed the SP.

The stolen bikes were usually taken to Assam but not re-registered. Then they were used in remote areas where there wasn't any police or RTO checkings. They were being used for all sorts of illegal activities.

"We are in constant touch with our counterparts in Assam. A stolen pick-up truck has also been traced through the engine and chassis number. It is in the custody of the Forest department in Assam. We will get a court order to retrieve it," added Yadav.