Over 90 touts arrested in Bihar

Over 90 touts were arrested in the last three days near government offices in Bihar's twelve districts during special drive to check corrupt practices, police said Tuesday.

Bihar Police chief Abhyanand said the "operation dalal" was launched against middlemen, who are part of rampant corruption in government offices in the state.

Police began the operation Jan 11 by arresting 11 touts at the district transport office in Ara, district headquarters of Bhojpur.

Police Monday arrested 87 touts, including 22 in Munger district, 12 each in Purnea and West Champaran, nine each in Buxar and Nalanda, seven in Katihar, five each in Aurangabad and Sheikhpura, three in Kishanganj, two in Rohtas and one in Araria.

Two government officials in Aurangabad and four in Bhojpur districts were also arrested for their involvement in the rackets.

"All the arrested were found engaged around district transport offices to lure gullible customers," a police official said.

Abhyanand, who is monitoring the operation against middlemen, said all the arrested touts were presented before the local courts that sent them to judicial custody.

He said top state administration as well as common people are fed up with the middlemen in offices.

"This operation against the middlemen would continue in the state and more touts would be arrested in coming days," he said.