Unearthing a racket which was stealing tractors, the Oupada police here arrested four persons, including the mastermind, besides recovering four tractors from them.
The accused were identified as Shantijyoti Singh (26) of Khuntaposhi village under Thakurmunda police station of Mayurbhanj, Ranjan Mahanta (34) of Adipur village under Ruruan police station, Ramakanta Patra (39) of Bhusugaon village under Barbil police station of Keonjhar district and Jayant Mahanta of Maheswarpur village under Champua police station.
The police investigating a latest tractor theft case of Oupada, initially nabbed Shantijyoti Singh, the kingpin of the syndicate and recovered a tractor and by further interrogating him rounded up the three other accomplices.
According to officer –in-charge of Oupada police station Prasant Jena, the racket was operational in Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak , Keonjhar, Angul and Baleswar. SThey used to steal tractors and dispose them off at different places .
According to reports, the police undertook an investigation of a tractor theft which occurred on November 28. The victim whose tractor was lifted was Prabhat Mohanty of Darkholi village.
Prior to the incident, on September 27 last year a tractor was stolen from Matigada village and the owner was Harihar Mahala.
The police after seizing Mohanty’s tractor from Thakurmunda area arrested Shantijyoti and further investigation led to recovery of Mahala’s tractor from Jashipur.
The police further said two other seized tractors have been kept in Champua police sation under Keonjhar district and another in Angul district.
The police further said that since the syndicate is extended to different districts, there could be more seizures and arrests too.