‘Nikkar gang’ strikes again, robs NRI family’s residence

After the notorious “Kala Kachha Gang” terrorised the region, a new criminal outfit dubbed as the “Nikkar Gang” has emerged, spreading panic across the Phillaur city. Within a span of month, a third major theft linked to this gang was reported. Gang members — dressed in T-shirts and shorts — were captured in the CCTV camera footage while committing crimes.

In the latest incident, the gang targeted residence of an NRI family in the upscale Gopal Enclave Colony in Phillaur situated near the national highway. According to reports, thieves looted 27 tolas of gold, high-end wristwatches worth ?3 lakh, and cash exceeding Rs 3 lakh before fleeing from the house.

A complaint was filed by Neetu Thapar, wife of Michel Thapar, an NRI, currently in the United States. Neetu, who resides in the house with her only daughter, was on a vacation in Kashmir on July 13, along with her sister-in-law and family. Before leaving, she had entrusted the care of the house to a paying guest, Munish Kumar, who stays on the upper floor of the house.

Munish reportedly called Neetu to inform her that a robbery had taken place at the house during the night and he was locked inside his room by intruders. Upon returning, Neetu discovered that the house was ransacked, with the main almirah broken and valuables missing.

What raised eyebrows is the fact that despite the use of force to break in and loot the premises, Munish claimed he heard nothing. This aroused complainant’s suspicion that robbers might had prior knowledge of her household’s layout and valuables.

This incident is the latest in a series of burglaries reported in a similar modus operandi. Previously, the gang had struck the residence of Laghu Udyog Bharati president Darshan Singh, followed by a robbery near Canara Bank, in which a woman was robbed of cash and jewellery worth Rs 4.5 lakh. In both the cases, robbers were seen on wearing shorts in the footage of the surveillance cameras — a trait which identified the gang.

The Phillaur police confirmed that a case had been registered in this connection. SHO Bhushan Kumar said the police had got the CCTV footage of the incident and efforts were on to identify and apprehend the culprits. — OC

Jalandhar