Punjab: Mansa-based gang of thieves arrested

Punjab: Police have arrested members of a Mansa-based gang that stole agricultural equipment from farms in Gogamedi, Phephana, Tibbi and other areas of Hanumangarh. The gang was active for some time, having come to the area last year to work as farm labourers. On Monday, police arrested two suspects named Hans Ram alias Gora and Mal Singh, residents of Ram Dittawala village in Mansa, for stealing a tubewell engine and other agricultural equipment from a farm in December. The vehicle used in the crime has been seized and eight stolen electric motors have been recovered so far. Earlier, one of their accomplices, Saurabh alias Kalu, has already been arrested. Police have registered cases based on complaints from local farmers, including Bhagu Ram Jat, Satpal Jat and Subhash Jat. Investigation is underway and more arrests are expected in connection with the thefts.