BELAGAVI
A five-member gang has been arrested in connection with dacoities along the Belagavi-Goa road via Chorla.
The gang had created a reign of terror among vegetable vendors, transporters and late night travellers along the route since last couple of months, posing a challenge to the Belagavi police.
The accused have been identified as Nigannpa Naik, Sidappa Naik, Bhimappa Naik, Bharmappa Pujari, all from Bharnatti village, and Maruti Naik from Kamalnagar near Belagavi.
According to the Belagavi rural police station, the gang was engaged in waylaying truck drivers and transporters of vegetables at night and would loot goods from vehicles, while also robbing drivers and passengers at knife point along the Kinaye-Jamboti ghat section.
The accused would flee in the jungle area nearby after committing the dacoities and those trying to shield themselves were either beaten or injured with sickle, knives and other sharp weapons.
Under the guidance of Police Commissioner Dr K Thygarajan, DCP Dr Vikram Amathe, DCP Neelgar and other officers, the Belagavi team headed by Rural CPI Sunilkumar Nandeshwar and team nabbed the dacoits after maintaining a close vigil.
The accused have been remanded to judicial custody and sent to the Hindalga Central prison. Police have also recovered knives and sickles used in the dacoities.
