The Kotwali police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have dismantled a gang that allegedly targeted rail passengers by snatching their mobile phones. In a joint operation, they arrested a key member and recovered seven stolen mobile phones. Several other gang members have already been identified, and further arrests are anticipated.
Arrest and Identification of Suspect
During a press conference, ADCP-1 Sameer Verma identified the suspect as Shiv Kumar, alias Shibu (38), a resident of Ram Nagar, Jamalpur. He works at a hosiery factory. The police investigation revealed that the gang members would wait for trains to slow down on the outer tracks of the railway line. When they spotted passengers near train doors, they used a stick to snatch mobile phones and then fled the scene.
ADCP Verma, accompanied by Kotwali SHO Paramvir Singh and RPF Inspector Yudhvir Singh, noted that there had been frequent complaints of snatchings from railway passengers. The preliminary investigation showed that Shiv Kumar has five cases of robbery and other criminal offenses registered against him since 2017, and he was out on bail at the time of his arrest.
Details of a Recent Incident
Approximately 24 days ago, Sumit, a resident of Ghagaria, Bihar, was standing at the door of a moving train near the Dhandhari railway station. A man standing outside hit him with a stick and snatched his mobile phone. The passenger jumped from the train to chase the snatcher, but the assailant fled. Sumit sustained injuries on his right arm and forehead.
This incident was one of several that prompted the joint operation. The police will now present the suspect in court and seek his remand to trace other gang members and those who purchased the stolen mobile phones from them.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Safety
The authorities are continuing their investigation to apprehend the remaining gang members and dismantle the network of stolen phone buyers. They urge passengers to remain vigilant while traveling on trains, especially near doors. The RPF has increased patrols on outer tracks to deter such crimes.
According to ADCP Verma, the collaboration between the Kotwali police and RPF has been effective in curbing these snatchings. He emphasized that the public should report any suspicious activity immediately to the railway police or RPF helplines.
