PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Jyotirmath
Eight members of an interstate gang of thieves and pickpockets who were active in Badrinath were arrested by the Chamoli police. The police recovered Rs 2.55 lakh cash from the accused.
Lakhs of people arrive in Badrinath and other shrines from across the nation and abroad especially during the Char Dham Yatra season which resumed for this year recently. Thieves and other criminal elements also become active during this period to exploit the situation. The majority of such elements distract the focus of pilgrims and steal their valuables.
The Badrinath police had received confidential information about such criminals being in the Badrinath area. The police personnel in plain clothes posed as pilgrims and conducted surveillance in the area. The police also used technical assistance and managed to nab eight members of the notorious Pushpa gang.
The police station in-charge Navneet Bhandari said that the accused arrested hail from Andhra Pradesh. The Chamoli superintendent of police Sarvesh Panwar has announced a cash reward of Rs 5,000 for the police team which apprehended the accused. Panwar appealed to the visitors to remain alert and especially take care of their belongings in crowded areas. The police are consistently patrolling and monitoring various areas to prevent crime. However, the public also needs to remain aware.
