MPC demands handing over highway robbery case to CBI

Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) party today demanded that the sensational highway robbery allegedly committed by Assam Rifles personnel be handed over to CBI.
A press statement issued by MPC said though the party had full faith in the investigating capabilities of the state police, the alleged involvement of "powerful people including influential top officials" could result in exertion of political pressure on the investigators.
The dacoity of smuggled 52 gold bars worth Rs 14.5 crore by alleged Assam Rifles personnel on December 14 last on the outskirts of Aizawl had created a furore in the state.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional SP of CID (Crime) arrested a number of people, including suspended Commandant of the 39 Assam Rifles Colonel Jasjit Singh, former student leader Lalmuanawma Mathipi, non-tribal businessman Bulaki Chand Baid, two other civilians and eight Assam Rifles jawans in the case.

Thirteen persons, many of them armed with sophisticated weapons had waylaid a vehicle used for smuggling 52 gold bars worth around Rs 14.5 crore in the outskirts of Aizawl on the fateful day.
According to the complaint filed by the driver of the MUV, the interceptors decamped with all the gold and also forcibly took away a cell phone and Rs 75,000 in cash.
The suspended Commandant Col Jasjit Singh, who was arrested on May 5 was remanded to 48-hour police custody by a local court yesterday.