Arrested robbers in Cuttack. Telegraph picture

Cuttack, Jan. 25: With the arrest of three persons, the Government Railway Police (GRP) today claimed to have busted a gang of inter-state robbers who used to operate in trains.

The accused have been identified as Milu Bag (25) alias Terrorist Kalia who hails from Balangir, Dipak Behera alias Dipu (23) of Bhadrak, and Suresh Das alias Night Kalia (22) of Tangi.

“The gang used to drug passengers in long distance trains and loot their belongings. Six stolen mobile phones and narcotic substances were seized from their possession,” said GRP inspector-in-charge Trinath Mishra.

All the three accused were caught red handed while they were planning to loot a passenger who was travelling in a train that was going to Durg from Puri yesterday.

According to the GRP officials, during the journey the gang used to build friendship with passengers, offer them biscuits laced with narcotic substances. The gang then used to flee with the mobile phones, luggage and other costly items of the passengers.

“The gang members used to target passengers usually in general compartments of trains. On the pretext of providing them seats, they used to develop friendship with passengers.On suspecting the activities of the gang, passengers had informed the GRP officials who swung into action and nabbed the three persons from Cuttack,” Mishra added.

The gang used to operate mostly in Berhampur, Rourkela, Balangir, Balasore, Sambalpur and in coastal areas including Cuttack, and Jagatsinghpur.

The accused persons have been booked under Sections 328, 379, 411, 34 of the Indian Penal Code and have been produced before the court today.

One of the accused terrorist, Kalia, was earlier arrested in Balangir under Sections 394, 25 and 27 of the Arms and Explosives Act. Police are looking for one more member of their gang.

In another incident, the GRP recovered 2.75 quintals of Kendu leaves while it was being illegally transported in the Puri-bound Utkal Express.