Car trafficking at state border in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 8: In a bid to curb interstate car trafficking Cooch Behar Police established two permanent check-posts at Baxirhat and Sankosh. Cooch Behar SP Mr Anil Kumar said that a large number of motor vehicles were seized during the past two years in areas near Assam-West Bengal border. Many persons involved with car lifting rackets were also arrested during the period, he said. The SP claimed that the trend of car trafficking through this route is decreasing.

 

As Baxirhat in Tufanganj sub-division of Cooch Behar district is the transit point to go to Assam and other northeast states the car traffickers prefer this route. Stealing new model vehicles from outer provinces they smuggle out those through this route. After lifting a vehicle they change its number plate and arrange forged documents. It is an old practice. The car traffickers consider this route safe for a long for conducting their business. These stolen vehicles are in heavy demand in the clandestine market in some areas in northeast states especially Nagaland and Manipur.

 

It was learnt that Since January of this year Baxirhat Police seized about forty vehicles of different models on their way to Assam through Baxirhat. Among the seized vehicles one was reportedly found with Uttar Pradesh government emblem. The traffickers adopt various techniques to conduct their business. Very often they pose as lawyers, journalists and government officials to evade arrest.

 

It is a common practice for them to carry children with them to fool the police by posing family members going for a tour. A Scorpio vehicle was seized and four persons including two women were nabbed yesterday. A child was also with them. Such things happened on earlier occasions too. But, from experience the police got lessons how to deal with such persons to unearth their actual intention and identity, a senior police official of Baxirhat police station said.

 

The members of the car lifting rackets have to pass through nine police station areas along the National Highway-31 to arrive Baxirhat in Cooch Behar before entering Assam. This is the main route to go to Manipur and Nagaland where the demand of such stolen vehicles is very high.

 

Cooch Behar SP Mr Anil Kumar claimed that due to strict checking of all vehicles passing through the Assam-West Bengal state border the car traffickers are losing interest about this route these days. Establishing of two permanent check-posts for the solo purpose of curbing the illegal business made it more difficult for them, the SP claimed. []