Mangaluru, October 09: The City Crime Branch (CCB) police arrested a notorious inter-district chain snatcher, wanted in various chain snatching and other cases in various police stations limits in Mangaluru and Udupi district.

The arrested has been identified as Shakib alias Sabbu (25). The police recovered valuables worth Rs 6.60 lakh from the accused.

While collecting information on chain snatchers in Mangaluru city limits, the police got information that the accused might have taken shelter in and around Vamanjoor. Acting on a tip-off, the CCB police took up the operation and arrested him after chasing a car.

Valuables worth lakhs recovered

Police sources said that the accused used to come on motorbikes or in cars along with his associates and snatch gold chains or mangalsutra chains of women. Total five gold chains, weighing 140 grams, one mangalsutra of black beads and two gold pendants worth Rs 4,15,000. Apart from this, a car and two mobile handsets were also recovered from the accused. The total value of the recovered materials is estimated at Rs 6.6 lakh, sources said.

Involved in many cases

When interrogated, the accused has admitted to snatching chains with his friends. He has been facing lot of chain snatching cases in various police stations in the Mangaluru City Commissionerate and in Udupi district. Two cases in Karkala rural police station, two in Karkala town police station, one each in Moodabidri and Shirva police stations were registered against him. CCB police are looking out for other accused in the cases.

Apart from these cases, Shakib is also facing six cases including a murder attempt and theft cases in Surathkal police station, robbery case in Bajpe police station, bike theft case in Mangaluru North police station. Now, the accused and the valuables were handed over to Moodabidri police for further action.

CCB inspector Shantaram, PSI Shamsundar and staff participated in the operation under the guidance of Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh, Law and Order DCP Hanumantharaya, Crime and Traffic DCP Uma Prashanth.

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Kolkata (PTI): The murder of a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari triggered political confrontation in West Bengal on Thursday, with the saffron camp accusing the TMC of fostering "lawlessness" and the Mamata Banerjee-led party rejecting the charge.

In a shocking development within 48 hours of the assembly poll verdict, Chandranath Rath, Adhikari's executive assistant, was shot dead in a brazen attack at Madhyamgram on Wednesday night, escalating tension in the area.

According to preliminary information, motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted Rath's vehicle near Doltala in Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm, forced it to stop and opened fire at point-blank range before fleeing.

Senior BJP leaders on Thursday alleged that the killing reflected the "complete collapse" of law and order in the state under the rule of the TMC government, which was "thrown out of power" in the assembly polls.

"A person closely associated with the leader of the opposition was targeted in a planned manner. This shows how law and order have deteriorated under the Mamata Banerjee government, which the people of Bengal have thrown out of power," a BJP leader said.

Adhikari on Thursday described the gunning down of his close aide as a "cold-blooded murder" and alleged that the killers had carried out a recce before executing the attack in North 24 Parganas district.

The Trinamool Congress dismissed the allegations and accused the BJP of attempting to politicise the incident before the investigation had progressed.

"The TMC has nothing to do with this unfortunate incident. The police are investigating the case professionally. The BJP should refrain from making baseless accusations. We are the ones who demanded a CBI probe of the killing," a senior Trinamool leader said.

The Congress demanded a transparent probe and criticised both the BJP and the TMC for "turning every tragedy into a political battle".

"The focus should remain on arresting the killers and ensuring justice, not on political point-scoring," a state Congress leader said.

The CPI(M) also condemned the killing and expressed concern over the deteriorating political atmosphere in the state.

"Violence and fear have increasingly become part of Bengal's political culture under the TMC rule. The administration must act firmly and impartially. We condemn the killing and demand strict action against those involved in the crime," a senior CPI(M) leader said.