Bhubaneswar, April 20: Koraput police have arrested three persons in connection with a daring highway robbery in which 40 bags of paddy were looted from a Bolero pickup van. The accused have been identified as Rahim Bhatra (21), Asher Bagh (21), and Ruhen Benya (22), all residents of villages under Koraput Sadar Police Station limits.

According to a complaint lodged by Jagadish Panigrahi on April 10, his Bolero pickup van (OD10M9519) was transporting 65 bags of paddy from Kakriguma to Boriguma when the incident occurred. Near Machhara Ghati road, eight armed miscreants riding four motorcycles, including two Bullet bikes, intercepted the vehicle. 

The attackers threatened the driver with swords, took control of the van, and unloaded 40 bags of paddy before returning the empty vehicle. They also looted the driver’s mobile phone and Rs 1,000 in cash.

During the investigation, police recovered all 40 paddy bags (50 kg each), two Bullet motorcycles, a TVS Jupiter scooty, and a Samsung tablet. Interrogation revealed the gang’s involvement in at least two earlier robberies in the district.

Police have registered a case under Section 310(2) of the BNS, and efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused.

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