Auto gangs loot commuters with sedative laced 'Prasad'

NOIDA: Commuters in the city are not just getting fleeced by auto drivers overcharging them; to add to their woes an autorickshaw gang has been looting passengers by offering them 'Prasad' laced with sedatives.
The gang has already struck twice in and around Metro stations, bus depots and educational institutes. Having failed to make any headway in the cases, a meeting was recently held by senior police officials to crack down on the gang.
A senior police official said that recently two MBA students were robbed by the gang when they were heading to board a train to Allahabad.The students live in sector 20 and they had caught an auto near the BSNL intersection in sector 19. The auto driver reportedly offered them 'Prasad' laced with sedatives and after consuming that the students fainted. When they regained consciousness, they found themselves on the road in sector 14A. Not only their luggage, but their purse, mobile phone were also missing.
The same day the gang also targeted two youth, identified as Avinash Thakur and Prateek. "They were returning to their residence after meeting with friends. They boarded an auto from sector 18. The auto driver offered them the same Prasad and they fainted after eating it. They woke up to find themselves at the sector 12-22 intersection. Their mobile phone and other valuables were missing. A complaint has been registered," said a cop.
Residents are now up in arms against the police and want them to learn a few lesson from Delhi police. "Delhi police frequently conducts stringent drives against auto gangs. In Delhi, complaints can be filed against errant auto drivers through helpline numbers and SMS, but Noida does not have the same. Cops also seem reluctant to register cases when victims approach them," said Ashok Singh, a resident of sector 12.
ASP Alankrita Singh confirmed that an auto gang is active in the city. Several teams are working to bring the gang members to book. The ASP added, "Passengers should avoid any eatables offered by auto drivers and, on suspicion should inform the PCR or local cops."