The seven arrested members of the gang of chain-snatchers.Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Sept. 8: Police today claimed to have unearthed an inter-district gang of chain-snatchers by taking into custody seven educated youths, including a diploma engineer.

Of late, the gang had unleashed terror in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Paradip targeting women and young girls. The gang had caused much trouble for police here as the criminals, after committing the crime with professional expertise, sped away on motorbikes leaving the cops clueless. “The police were on the lookout of these criminals. This case was a priority, as women and young girls were the soft targets. A special squad, including officials of inspector rank, had been constituted. After thorough investigation, the police have succeeded in nabbing the seven active members of the gang. However, the kingpin of the racket has evaded arrest,” said Kendrapara police chief Narasingha Bhol.

The arrest of the criminals has brought to the fore a disturbing trend, as majority of the arrested persons are educated with a decent family background.

One of the accused was working at a Paradip-based private firm as a diploma engineer. Last week, another gang of burglars was intercepted from Paradip port town area.