Salmari, Katihar. In a shocking incident, armed criminals looted a family in Ward No. 7 of Tahirpur, Salmari police station area, on Monday night. The head of the household, Maulana Naqeeb Alam, a madrasa teacher in Mumbai, was away at the time. His wife, Shagufta Parveen, and their three daughters were at home.
Around midnight, between 12 and 1 a.m., six armed criminals stormed into the house, assaulted the family, and held them hostage. The criminals looted three tolas of gold, 22 tolas of silver, ₹1.3 lakh in cash, and three mobile phones. They fired shots in the air while fleeing the scene.
Police Begin Investigation After Locals Inform Authorities
Hearing the family’s cries for help, neighbors gathered and informed the Salmari police. Station Officer Rajesh Kumar and Barsoi DSP Ajay Kumar arrived at the scene with a team. During their investigation, the police recovered a live cartridge, an empty shell, a mobile phone left behind by the criminals, slippers, a spade, and a hammer.
The recovered mobile phone displayed a photograph of a young man, and the police have formed a team under the DSP’s leadership to trace and arrest the culprits.
Concerns Raised Over Drug Abuse and Lack of Patrolling
Salmari Panchayat representative Ghulam Sarwar expressed concern over the incident, citing inadequate police patrolling and the rise in drug abuse as reasons for the criminals’ increasing audacity. He demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits and an increase in police patrolling in the area.
Residents Living in Fear
The incident has left the victim’s family and local residents in a state of fear. DSP Ajay Kumar stated that the criminals had broken the locks outside the house and hid there. When a family member stepped outside, they were overpowered by the armed assailants who then carried out the loot.
Police Focus on CCTV Footage and Evidence Collection
The police are scouring CCTV footage from the area to identify the criminals. Authorities emphasize the need for heightened security in the region.
This incident has shaken the local community and raised serious concerns about law and order. The police assure that all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits swiftly.
