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Robbery on KSRTC bus: 11 arrested

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, SEPT. 6. The city police arrested 11 persons today in connection with the robbing of Rs. 10 lakhs from a KSRTC bus passenger, Shajahan of Ponnani, on September 1. The robbery was committed on a Guruvayur-bound bus near Varappuzha bridge. As much as Rs. 4.5 lakhs has been recovered from the accused.

Six of the accused were involved in a robbery committed in May last at Paravoor where a passenger was relieved of Rs. 4.10 lakhs in a similar operation, the City Police Commissioner, Dinendra Kashyap, said.

Operation

According to the police, six of the accused trailed the bus in a hired Maruti Zen car, while three persons boarded the bus and one waited at Varappuzha on a motorbike. At Varappuzha, the bus was intercepted by the gang and the three gang members in the bus attacked the victim and snatched the bag.

Two of them escaped with the bag on the motorbike towards Paravoor, while the rest went the other way in the car. A case was registered with the Cheranalloor police station and the team of officers led by the Assistant Commissioner (City), Martin K. Mathew, and the Circle Inspector (North), B.K. Prasanthan, managed to get leads regarding the vehicle used in the act. On learning that the car was a hired one, the probe team investigated car renting services in Ernakulam and Aluva, leading to the confiscation of the car from Companypadi, near Aluva, and the arrest of one of the accused, Shinoj (25) of Muppathadom. The motorbike and the Indica car used in the robbery committed in May were also confiscated.

On interrogation, the police got leads on the other accused, namely Mahin (29), Navas (27), Majeed (26), Aziz (34) — all hailing from Aluva — Henry Jose (24) from Kongorpilli, Alangad, Nibu alias Kochunni (23) and Dine Jacob (21), both from Vaduthala, Abdul Salam (33) from Santhigiri, Aluva, Manaf (29) from Chavakad, Naushad (39) from Edappally and Jaison (26) from Vaduthala.

The accused were arrested in a simultaneous operation carried out in Ernakulam, Aluva, Chavakad, Edappal and Ponnani late last night, Mr. Kashyap said. Among the accused, Jaison is still absconding.

Almost all of the accused were history-sheeters and have been convicted in various cases of robbery and attempt to murder under the Aluva, Binanipuram and Ernakulam Town North police station limits.

Even though, the behaviour of the victim, Shajahan, gave rise to suspicions about his involvement in the act, detailed investigation proved otherwise. On doubts about the money being part of `hawala' transactions, agencies like Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have been brought into service, Mr. Kashyap said.

Law and order

Meeting the press for the first time after assuming charge two months ago, Mr. Kashyap said that the law and order situation had improved and tight surveillance had helped in controlling untoward incidents during Onam week.

Barring some isolated incidents, no cases of robbery or pick-pocketing had been reported during Onam celebrations, he said. This was achieved by enhancing the police presence in the city, he added.

Answering a query on the murders committed in the city in the recent period, Mr. Kashyap said that despite intensified investigation, no leads had been obtained to solve the cases.

All probable suspects, like those who were released from jail during that period, have been put under surveillance, he said.

Answering a question on the tension at the Armed Reserve Camp, Mr. Kashyap said that no complaint had been filed regarding unfair treatment of the police personnel in the camp.

All the issues inside the camp would be discussed and solved during the meeting held every month, he said.

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