Dibrugarh, March 20: The arrest of three persons, including two policemen, has blown the lid off a well-organised blackmailing racket involving police personnel and former Ulfa rebels.

The racket came to light after a second year student of the Assam Medical College here, Vishal Salhotra, filed a complaint against assistant sub-inspector Abdul Karim, constable Sanjib Baruah and one Pritish Bikash Baruah at Dibrugarh Sadar police station on Saturday.

However, the police managed to keep the matter under wraps till today, when one of their own personnel spilled the beans.

Salhotra, the son of an Indian Oil Corporation Limited official posted at Digboi in Tinsukia district, alleged that the trio had forced him to ?pose? with some girls, taken his photographs and then demanded money from him.

He alleged that the policemen caught hold of him near the Boiragimath locality in the town when he was looking for a friend?s residence on Friday evening.

They took him to another place, forced him to pose with girls and took photographs. The policemen, who were not in uniform, then demanded Rs 40,000 from him.

Salhotra told The Telegraph over phone that the policemen beat him up when he declined to pay and took away all his valuables, including a mobile phone, wristwatch, college identity card, driving license and wallet.

?They forced me to pose for the photographs and threatened to expose me if I did not pay. I was very frightened at that time but decided to teach them a lesson when they told me they were policemen. As policemen are meant to protect and not loot us, I lodged a complaint with the police,? he said.

Dibrugarh Sadar police station registered a case (number 144/06) under Sections 341/384/420/34 of the Indian Penal Code on Saturday and arrested the trio the same day.

Investigating officer in the case, Kamal Chandra Konwar, who is also the officer-in-charge of Gabharupathar police station, today said all the three were remanded in judicial custody yesterday.

Konwar said they did suspect Karim, posted at Rajabheta police outpost, and Baruah, posted at Mohanbari police outpost, of indulging in nefarious activities earlier. But they could not take any action as no complaint had been lodged nor was there any evidence against them.

Dibrugarh superintendent of police Sarat Phukon said both the assistant sub-inspector and the constable had been suspended and departmental proceedings were on.

?Such incidents definitely bring shame to the force, but there are black sheep everywhere. I assure you that we are committed to serve the people and have taken the case very seriously,? he added.

A police source admitted that there was a ?big network? in Dibrugarh engaged in blackmailing individuals.

He alleged that this ?network? even included a senior police officer of the district. ?Only 20 days ago the racketeers trapped a Duliajan-based Oil India Limited employee who had to shell out Rs 80,000.?

He cited another case, involving a police constable, where departmental proceedings had been conducted.