The arrested have been identified as Ibrahim Minya, Hajendra Kumar Mahara, both from Belha-3, Ashiq Rain, Saroj Kumar Mahara, both from Belha-6, Sunil Kumar Mahara, Nasiruddin Minya and Nausad Minya, all of them from Belha-7. [break]
Police are yet to nab the mastermind of the robbery. Police say all the arrested suspects will be made public once the absconding mastermind is nabbed.
All seven suspects have been remanded in custody for seven days. Police have filed cases of robbery and murder against them. "There may be more persons involved in the robbery," said Siraha police Chief SP Rajesh Lal Karna. "We are searching for them."
A gang of dacoits on December 21 had looted properties worth Rs one million in Belha-3. Suresh Kumar Shah, 16, the owner of Riddhi Siddhi Jewelry shop in Belha, was shot dead when he retaliated. Six other villagers were also injured.
Police from a local post, which lies barely 300 meters from Belha-3, did not reach the crime scene despite repeated calls from locals, allowing the robbers to leisurely loot the village and flee easily. All 12 policemen led by Assistant Sub Inspector Ganesh Das Tatma in the Belha post were immediately transferred following the robbery after the locals sought action against them.
An emergency meeting of the District Security Committee had formed a committee led by Assistant Chief District Officer, Siraha, Kishor Kumar Chaudhari to look into the alleged involvement of Belha police in the robbery. The committee was directed to make its report public at the earliest.
However, the committee has yet not prepared its report. Chief District Officer of Siraha Narayan Prasad Bidari expects the committee to submit the report within a couple of days.
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