Bantwal, 20 Apr 2015: The town police in a joint operation with DCIB unearthed an inter-state group involved in car lifting and arecanut thieving here on Sunday April 19.
The police arrested 5 youth involved in this illicit trade and recovered 5 cars, 1 motorcyle and 20 sacks of dehusked arecanut from them.
The arrested has been identified as Imran – a resident of Mangilapadav in Vittal, Mohammed Muksin – a native of Nandavar, Akthar who is hailing from Kenjar and now resides at Perne, Shifan – a resident of Hirebandady in Uppinangady, Ummer Farouq – a resident of Kannangar – Padubidri.
The arrested were involved in different crimes in the limits of Uppinangady, Manipal, Bantwal town, Bantwal rural, Vittal, Beltangady and Kerala. The circle inspector Belliappa led this operation along with DCIB policemen.
Background of the case
Bantwal police intercepted 1 Maruti Ritz and Swift cars at Salettoor, near Vittal and seized the automobiles along with accused and 6 sacks of dehusked arecanut. The accused confessed of committing crimes in Karnataka and neighboring states. The group was targeting plantations to steal the stocks of arecanut across Beltangady and Bantwal taluk.
The arecanut is gold now that fetches high rates and its easier for the thieves to steal the sacks stored in the courtyard of farmers.
The operation was carried out under the instructions of DK district SP Dr Sharanappa, ASP M Shekarappa and Bantwal ASP Rahul Kumar, led by circle inspector Belliappa along with sub-inspector Rakshit, Nandakumar and Prakash Devadiga, probationary sub-inspector Vishwanat, assistant sub-inspector Sanjeev, head constables Raghuram Hegde, Girish, Sundar Raj and Suresh, police personnel Praveen Rai, Rakshit Rai, Bhavit Rai, Janardhan, Laxman and Jagdish, DCIB personnel assistant sub-inspector Sanjeev Purusha, Uday Rai and Taranat, drivers Vijayeshwar, Sampat, Yogish, Narayan Gowda and Praveen, computer staff Prashant and Sampat.
SP Dr Sharanappa announced prizes for the policemen involved in this operation.