Sambalpur: Loot from Passenger’s Trolley Bag in Rourkela Intercity Train; 4 Members of ‘Paper Gang’ Arrested

Gang’s Modus Operandi

Sambalpur: A group of thieves, known as the ‘Paper Gang,’ used a clever trick to steal from passengers on the Rourkela Intercity train. They boarded the general compartment pretending to be regular travelers, sat on the upper seats, and acted as if they were reading newspapers. When passengers were distracted or went to the restroom, they quickly opened trolley bags and stole gold jewelry and cash.

Police Crackdown and Arrests

The Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) worked together and arrested four members of the gang. The arrested individuals are Surat Nishad (24) from Bihar’s Durg, Pankaj Yadav from Bhagalpur, Dharmendra Mandal from Khagaria, and Saurabh Mandal. However, the gang’s kingpin is still on the run, and a police team has traveled to Bihar to capture him.

Police Investigation and Surveillance

For the past few years, passengers traveling from Bhubaneswar had been complaining about theft on trains. In response, the GRP and RPF formed a special team to catch the thieves. Since criminals frequently targeted the Rourkela Intercity train, police officers boarded the train in disguise and closely monitored suspicious passengers.

During a recent operation, officers noticed some people pretending to read newspapers on the upper seats. Their behavior seemed suspicious, so the police kept a close watch. Eventually, the suspects attempted to steal, and the police caught them red-handed.

Gang’s Operations and Past Crimes

Upon interrogation, the thieves failed to provide clear answers about their activities. Further investigation revealed that they had been living in Jharsuguda for over two years and had been committing thefts on the Rourkela Intercity train. Their usual method was to steal gold and silver ornaments and immediately transport them to their native villages. The gang had a well-planned strategy and was highly organized.

Police also found out that these criminals had more than 15 cases registered against them in Bihar. Two other members of the gang are still absconding.

Authorities Warn Passengers

GRP Officer Saudamini Nag stated that several organized gangs are active on trains, targeting passengers using different techniques. While some specialize in large-scale thefts, others focus only on pickpocketing.

Police have urged passengers to stay vigilant while traveling and report any suspicious activities immediately.