Sambalpur, Aug. 6: Sambalpur police, with assistance from their counterparts in neighbouring districts, busted a gang involved in loot of diamonds valued at Rs 80 lakh from Surat.

They had stolen the diamonds on July 31.

Two persons — identified as Laxman Biswal of Khairpali in Kundeigola police limits, Deogarh district, and Duryodhan Bisi of Boudh — have been arrested. One more accused is being interrogated. The police have also recovered 31 packets of diamonds from them.

According to police sources, the trio were known to diamond broker Suresh Kantilal Meheta of Surat. The trio apparently feigned interest in buying diamonds worth Rs 80 lakh from Meheta. Later, they invited Meheta to a hotel in Surat for the deal. However, when Meheta arrived at the hotel, the trio tied him up and looted the diamonds from him.

Subsequently, Meheta reported the matter to Mahidarpura police in Surat and the case was handed over to the crime branch of Gujarat. On being informed of their presence in Sambalpur, the crime branch informed the deputy inspector-general of police (northern range), Sanjay Kumar, and asked for assistance to nab the accused.

A special team was formed and it arrested Biswal from Riamal in Deogarh. During interrogation, he revealed that he had hidden 26 packets of diamonds in his relative’s house at Chhendipada of Angul district. Duryodhan Bisi was arrested from his house at Boudh. The police have recovered 26 packets of diamonds from Biswal’s relative and five more packets from Duryodhan.

The police have detained another person suspecting him to be the third person involved in the incident. However, the police are yet to ascertain his involvement.

Kumar said: “All the looted diamonds have been recovered. The two accused have been produced before the Chhendipada court. Later, Gujarat police took them on transit remand.”

About the third person, Kumar said: “We suspect he has a role in the loot. However, he is denying involvement. We are yet to confirm this. Interrogation is on.”