So far 30 persons have been arrested and over 70 stolen motorbikes were recovered by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police (SP).
West Garo Hills police are on an operation to bust inter-state criminal gangs involved in large-scale car and motorcycle theft.
“More than 70 suspected stolen bikes were recovered and 30 persons arrested,” SP Vivekanand Singh Rathore informed. He said his team have solved approximately 20 undetected cases of Assam and Meghalaya.
“Our continuing operation has led many customers to come and surrender the second hands bikes which they suspect to have been stolen,” he said.
The persons arrested included car lifters, middlemen and buyers, Rathore informed, adding that many of the stolen motorcycles that have been recovered were in Dadenggre, Phulbari, Jengjal and Tura.
It may be mentioned that the SIT was constituted July 4 and was authorised to investigate all undetected vehicle theft cases registered in last five years.
The investigation by the SIT has revealed that the bikes stolen from Assam are being sold in Meghalaya and vice-versa through garage mechanics and second-hand vehicle sellers.
Police have also advised people that before purchase or sale of vehicles, police clearance must be obtained in order to avoid unnecessary hassles at a later stage as the vehicle owner is liable for legal action if the concerned vehicle is found to be indulged in any criminal offence, road traffic accident, etc.
Vehicle enquiry reports may be obtained from the District Crime Records Bureau, Tura, which is located at Tura Police Station.