RAJBIRAJ, JANUARY 24

Police today made public four persons arrested for their alleged involvement in stealing electronic equipment and batteries from the Nepal Telecom tower in Saptari.

Organising a press meet on the premises of Sapatri District Police Office, police made the arrested people public. Electronic appliances, including 24 sets of HH batteries and earthing cable worth millions were stolen from the BTS tower of GCM mobile of Nepal Telecom installed at the top of a house belonging to Shiv Narayan Chaudhary at Surunga Municipality, Saptari, a fortnight ago.

Police arrested the main accused Rakesh Yadav, 22, Surya Narayan Mahato, 35, and Pawan Jaisawal, 35. Similarly, Dipak Agrawal, 41, was held for purchasing the stolen equipment.

Police have seized a mini truck used for transporting the stolen equipment from the Telecom tower. The vehicle belongs to Surya Narayan Mahato.

“Seven batteries out of 24 stolen batteries and some equipment were seized from Agrawal’s godown,” said SP Rajendra Dhamala.

Preliminary police investigation showed that 17 batteries and some equipment were exported to India via an alternative route. “We are coordinating with Indian police to search for the stolen batteries and other telecom equipment,” said DSP Bhuwaneswor Sah.

The main accused Rakesh Yadav had projected himself as a Telecom employee and loaded the equipment in a truck for mechanical check. Two others had helped him load the equipment and batteries in the truck.

Meanwhile, police also made public two persons involved in stealing a motorbike. The arrested are Nandi Paswan, 24, and Raj Kumar Sah, 21.

Police seized a motorbike belonging to Anish Kumar Chaudhary and some cash. They had thrashed Chaudhary and looted his bike. All the arrested were remanded to 10-day custody by the district court today and a case was filed against them.