Mahamaya Temple theft
A silver artifact stolen from the Mahamaya Temple that was recovered by the police

The Bagribari police in Kokrajhar district has arrested eight persons in connection to the theft that occurred in the historical Mahamaya temple in March this year.

The accused have been identified as Hossain Ali (26 years), Haibor Ali (40 years), Saidul Islam (38 years) and Ropijul Haque alias Robial (26 years),  Sarbesh Ali (40 years), Rohima Bibi, Johirul Islam (39 years) and Moinuddin Sk (22 years).

The police have also recovered the stolen items including 24 gm of gold, 300 gm of silver, 12 mobiles,  two screwdrivers and one four-wheeler from their possession.

While Hossain hails from Ambari at Abhayapuri in Bongaigaon district, Haibor, Saidul and Ropijul are the residents of Tamakubari Part I village in Dhubri district.

Sarbesh , Rohima,  Johirul and Moinuddin hail from Baijonralga Part III village, Suapata village, Aironjongla Part III village and Jhograpar Part I village respectively in the Dhubri district.

Also read: Ugratara Temple’s idol theft: 6 remanded to city police custody

According to police, the theft had occurred at the Mahamaya Mandir in Bagribari around 7 am on March 3.

The police swung into action soon after receiving information about it and registered a case vide Case No.48 U/S 457/380 of the Indian Penal Code at the Bagribari Police Station.

SDPO Parbatjhora Trinayan Bhuya led the investigation that led the police team to identify a gang involved in various thefts in the Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Goalpara and Bongaigaon districts.

While discovering their modus operandi, it was also revealed that the gang had a nexus with a few jewellery shop owners in these districts.

Further investigation is underway to recover the remaining stolen items and nab the remaining members of the gang.

Mukesh Kr Singh is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dhubri. He can be reached at: [email protected]