Gang stealing train passengers’ belongings busted in Buxar, 4 arrested

Buxar: In a joint operation conducted on Thursday and Friday, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Govt Railway Police (GRP) arrested four persons for allegedly stealing passengers’ belongings on trains. One of the accused was caught red-handed while trying to flee after snatching a cellphone from a female passenger aboard the Amrit Bharat Express. His interrogation led the police to the remaining gang members and a shopkeeper who allegedly bought the stolen phones.According to the GRP, the action was carried out under Operation Yatri Suraksha, an initiative of the RPF and the GRP to enhance passenger safety. On Thursday evening, RPF personnel apprehended Suhail Ansari, son of Alauddin Ansari and a resident of Gajadharganj locality in Buxar town, while he was attempting to escape after snatching a cellphone through the train window.Based on information provided by the accused and an informer, police arrested two of his associates—Suhail Khan, son of Lukman Khan of Gajadharganj, and Dharmendra Kumar, son of Rampravesh Singh of Koransarai—from the station premises.During questioning, the trio allegedly confessed to targeting passengers on trains and selling the stolen cellphones to a shop owned by Mohd Nasir in Gajadharganj. Acting on the tip-off, police raided the shop and recovered two previously stolen high-end cellphones. The shopkeeper was also arrested.RPF inspector Kundan Kumar said the accused had become friends while lodged in Ara jail earlier in connection with similar crimes. After their release, they regrouped and resumed stealing valuables from passengers. They also admitted to occasionally using blades to cut open passengers’ bags or purses.“A case has been registered at GRP Buxar against the three accused and the shopkeeper for their involvement in the theft racket. The operation was carried out under the supervision of RPF Buxar inspector-in-charge Kundan Kumar and GRP in-charge Vikas Kumar. Police seized a purse, four cellphones and a blade from the accused,” the inspector said.