A series of theft incidents and increasing cases of cattle theft and smuggling have created panic across the Belonia subdivision of South Tripura district.
Following repeated thefts, local residents staged protests and submitted deputations, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation. Questions were also raised regarding the role of the police administration through various reports, prompting the authorities to intensify their actions.
In an effort to curb theft and smuggling activities, the police administration launched night patrolling and surveillance operations, which have already started yielding success.
On Sunday night, while conducting routine vehicle checking in the Jharjhari area under Belonia police station , police signaled a Bolero pickup vehicle bearing registration number TR07-1873 to stop after noticing it speeding towards the checkpoint. However, the driver allegedly ignored the signal and attempted to flee.
Police chased the vehicle and eventually intercepted it a short distance away. During the search, police recovered 30 cartons of clothing inside the vehicle. When asked to produce valid documents, the driver failed to provide any paperwork. Police then detained both the vehicle and the driver and brought them to the police station.
Police sources said that the accused driver has been identified as Rubel Hossain, a resident of Kalapania area in Sonamura. Police recovered around 1,500 sarees packed in the 30 cartons, with an estimated market value exceeding Rs 5 lakh, said Officer-in-Charge of Belonia police station, Sanjit Sen.
According to police, the cloth-laden Bolero pickup was travelling from Sonamura towards Rishyamukh and was suspected to be carrying the goods for smuggling purposes. Police seized the vehicle along with the sarees and arrested Rubel Hossain. An investigation has been launched to identify others involved in the racket, said police.