Itanagar, Aug 31: In a major breakthrough, Banderdewa Police on Saturday busted an inter-state bike-lifting gang, recovering three stolen two-wheelers and apprehending four accused, a senior officer said on Sunday.
Naharlagun SP Dr Nyelam Nega said that during naka checking duty between midnight and 6 am at Banderdewa check gate, a Yamaha R15 sped past without stopping despite signals from the naka team comprising ASI SK Jha, ASI SK Tiwari, and constable U Gogoi. Soon after, a scooty (AS12AK5904) was stopped but impounded when the rider failed to produce valid documents. Around the same time, a Royal Enfield Hunter (AS07Z0946) made a suspicious U-turn before reaching the naka point.
Later in the day, the scooty rider, identified as Nobo Gohain alias Nobo Hussain, of Sootea, Assam, was detained at Banderdewa PS. On interrogation, he confessed to being part of a bike-lifting gang and revealed the identity of his associates. Acting on his lead, police recovered the abandoned Royal Enfield Hunter near DTNT petrol pump.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Marli Gadi (19) of Seijosa, Pakke Kessang (rider of the Yamaha R15), and Md Ricky Ahmed (25) of Sootea, Biswanath (rider of the Royal Enfield Hunter). On sustained interrogation, Gadi disclosed the existence of another stolen Yamaha R15 hidden in Assam.
A team led by Inspector Kipa Hamak, OC Banderdewa PS, under the direct supervision of SDPO Rishi Longdo, proceeded to Hawajan, Assam, where the stolen Yamaha R15 (AR05A-0990) was recovered from Pradyup Bhuyan (22) of Sootea, who was also apprehended.
With this, three stolen two-wheelers have been recovered and four accused persons — Marli Gadi, Md Ricky Ahmed, Nobo Gohain, and Pradyup Bhuyan — have been arrested.
The case has since been handed over to Naharlagun Police Station, where a case of stolen Royal Enfield was already registered. More recoveries are expected as interrogation continues, police said.
The SP, meanwhile, urged citizens to properly lock their vehicles, carry valid documents, and immediately report any suspicious activity relating to vehicle theft to the nearest police station.