Vehicle lifters' gang busted, five held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2011: A combined team of City Police and Commando Bazar unit has busted a gang of vehicle lifters and arrested five members of the gang besides recovering two stolen 2-wheelers. Speaking to media persons this evening, City Police OC RK Tejbir said that the five vehicle lifters were arrested following extra measures taken up by police along with establishment of anti-theft team.

In the first instance, police nabbed an individual when he had just started pulling a Honda Activa (MN-01R/2334) parked at Thangal Bazar Kalibari crossing after opening the lock in the afternoon of August 4 .

The arrested person has been identified as Md Nasimuddin (29) of Lilong Turel Ahanbi.

He used a worn out key to open the lock of the Honda Activa.

At first, Nasimuddin contended that the Activa belonged to him.

But he was arrested when the real owner arrived at the scene.

Nasimuddin was operating as a gang together with other members.

The five thieves along with the two 2 wheelers and cops

Details of the gang were learnt from Nasimuddin but it cannot be disclosed to the public yet as the matter is under investigation, Tejbir said.

City Police and Commando Bazar arrested another person from Shamu Makhong (Paona Bazar side) at about 11.30 pm of August 3 .

Wahengbam Somorendro alias Somen (35) of Iroishemba Moirangthong was arrested and questioned as he was moving in a suspicious manner in the area.

On questioning, it was learnt that Somorendro was a member of a vehicle lifters' gang.

Acting on his disclosure, police conducted raids at different places the same night till next morning and arrested three persons including a kingpin.

One Dio scooter (MN-01Q/4710) was also recovered.

The kingpin has been identified as Md Razaque (37) of Lilong Bazar.

The other two members are Md Wahidur Rehman (35) of Lilong Tairenmakhong and Md Riyajuddin alias Ibosing (35) of Kyamgei Muslim Mamang Leikai.

The Dio was recovered from Wahidur Rehman.

It has also been learnt that the Dio was lifted from near Gambhir Singh Shopping Complex, BT Road on July 14, the OC said.

Following establishment of the anti-theft team, many police personnel clad in civilian fatigue have been deployed in different parking lots in and around Khwairamband Bazar.

Moreover, some vehicles are being used as baits to lure vehicle lifters with police men in civilian fatigue keeping an eye on them from distance.

The OC further appealed to the public to locally available extra locking systems and also to park vehicles at manned parking lots.

He further said that all kinds of vehicles particularly rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and olden vehicles would be verified intensively ahead of the Independence Day.

To check burglary in Bazar area, VDFs have also been deployed in Bazar area in addition to police, Tejbir added.