Mon Police links over 30 stolen vehicles in Mon Town to theft cases registered in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
DIMAPUR — Mon Police has uncovered a suspected inter-state network involved in the theft, transportation and disposal of stolen vehicles, particularly two-wheelers, after more than 30 vehicles detected in Mon town were reportedly linked to theft cases registered in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
According to an update from Mon Police, the Anti-Vehicle Theft Squad (AVTS), Mon, through intelligence gathering, continuous monitoring and field-level efforts, identified more than 50 vehicles within Mon town whose ownership and supporting documents were found to be doubtful or incomplete.
What began as routine verification subsequently led to an inter-state breakthrough. Detailed enquiry and verification revealed that more than 30 of these vehicles were reportedly connected with theft cases registered in neighbouring states, including the Assam districts of Jorhat, Tinsukia, Charaideo and Sivasagar, as well as a district in Arunachal Pradesh.
Taking suo motu initiative, the AVTS contacted the concerned police stations in the neighbouring states and shared the available details for verification.
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Following confirmation of ownership, FIR particulars and documentary evidence, formal communication was established with the concerned police authorities, who were invited to Mon for further legal formalities.
The recovered vehicles were subsequently handed over to their rightful owners or the concerned police authorities as per due legal procedure.
Some of these cases had reportedly remained undetected for four to five years despite sustained efforts by the concerned police authorities. The detection of the vehicles through Nagaland Police's independent verification and detailed enquiry has helped revive and resolve long-pending cases, according to the update.
Further investigation brought to light a suspected modus operandi wherein vehicles are allegedly stolen in Assam and subsequently brought into Nagaland for disposal at comparatively low prices.
The investigation indicates that villagers and unsuspecting buyers are among the primary targets. The stolen vehicles are allegedly sold as second-hand vehicles at attractive prices, with buyers in some cases being provided random or unrelated identity documents in the name of ownership.
In some instances, the unusually low price of the vehicles appears to have resulted in buyers purchasing the vehicles without insisting on proper ownership documents or conducting adequate verification.
Preliminary findings also indicate the suspected involvement of local, Nagaland-based middlemen, who allegedly facilitate the disposal of stolen vehicles by identifying prospective buyers and receiving commissions for the same.
Details and available intelligence regarding the suspected Assam-based vehicle thieves have been shared with the concerned police authorities in Assam.
At the same time, Mon Police is continuing its efforts to identify and apprehend the suspected Nagaland-based intermediaries, with the objective of dismantling the entire chain involved in the illegal disposal of stolen vehicles.
Advisory to the public
Mon Police urged the public, particularly those purchasing second-hand motorcycles and other vehicles, to exercise caution. It stated that a low price should not become a reason to overlook proper documentation.
Buyers have been advised to verify the registration particulars, ownership documents, chassis and engine numbers, and theft status of a vehicle through the appropriate official channels before completing any purchase.