The Government Railway Police (GRP) has busted an inter-State gang involved in snatching chains from women travelling on trains.
The gang’s modus operandi is to stay near railway tracks, pose as nomads and strike at night.
A series of chain-snatching incidents were reported near Mavelipalayam and Erode stations recently. The GRP station in Erode registered 12 cases.
C. Sylendra Babu, Director General of Police, Railways, constituted five special teams to nab the gang.
The special team rounded up four persons. Balaji Shankar Shinde, 50, Thanaji Manmad Shinde, 20, Sunil Manmad Shinde, 21 of Solapur and Pappu Eswar, 25 of Tuljapur, Maharashtra were caught near Erode on Friday night.
V. Balakrishnan, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Railways, told The Hindu , that “the gang from Maharashtra has been camping near railway tracks. During daytime, they pose as beggars and indulge in criminal activities at night. When the train slows down for a signal near the station, one of them stands on the shoulder of another person to reach the window and snatches chains from women passengers. They then go to the nearest town and board trains to their native place.” They also entered trains when they slowed down near a bridge or for a signal and robbed passengers of cash, gold jewellery and valuables. They operated near the Salem, Erode, Katpadi and Jolarpet stations, he added.
The main accused, Balaji Shankar Shinde, who lost his right leg a few years ago, walks with an artificial limb. Despite his disability, he along with his relatives targeted trains in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Jewellery recovered
Director-General of Police Law and Order T.K. Rajendran and Mr. Sylendra Babu appreciated the personnel of the special teams who nabbed the gang. The jewellery recovered from the suspects would be handed over to the owners soon.
