Group is part of a larger gang operating in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur - Crime branch -
Assam police’s crime branch has busted one of the most wanted gangs of car-lifters Sunday from the Hatigaon area.

Those arrested have been identified as Md Ikbal Islam (22), Abdul Kasem (45), Nurul Amin Farzi (22), Mofidul Islam (27), Abdul Ahmed (38), Chitoo Puro (38), Manchus (25) and Dakhu (28).

Chitoo belongs to Nagaland, while Manchus and Dikhu were from Manipur. Police also detained Sofiqul Islam, manager of a lodge at Sijubari area and Imdadur Hussain, manager of another lodge at Japorigog in connection with the case.

The eight-member interstate car racket is now being interrogated at the Hatigaon police station.

“We have recovered five duplicate number plates, two luxurious vehicles, 10 chequebooks issued by different banks, five pass books of various banks and mobile phones from their possession.

The group is a part of an interstate car-lifters racket and was operating in the city from the two lodges. We are also grilling both the managers,” said a senior crime branch officer.

According to the police, the group is part of a larger gang operating in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. “They have some local agents who inform them about new vehicles in and around city. They steal the vehicles and cross the state border via Dimapur and enter Manipur.

During the journey, they change the vehicle numbers according to the state’s registration and then sell them to agents in bordering areas in Manipur like Moreh or Ukhrul. The group also transports vehicles lifted in different states illegally,” added a police source.