GUWAHATI, Aug 6 - At least seven masked criminals, reportedly carrying weapons, barged into the residence of a couple at Panikhaiti and looted cash and valuables worth several lakhs late last night.
The robbers reportedly tied up Ritu Mahanta (60), the owner of the house and an engineer by profession, before looting the valuables, including jewellery which he and his wife were wearing. The incident took place around 2.30 am.
�We were sleeping. Suddenly, I felt someone grasping my hands and feet. When I woke up, I saw five men in the room. They tied up my husband and began looting our things. They took away two chains and six rings I was wearing besides three gold bangles. They also looted similar items my husband was wearing,� Mahanta�s wife Daisy said.
Cash amounting to Rs 90,000 and an iPhone were among the items looted from Mahanta�s residence located at Amgaon, Taribagan, barely a few metres from the Panikhaiti Police Station and adjacent to the residence of former DGP JS Pathak.
Senior police officials today visited the residence for investigation. Police suspect it to be the handiwork of people who know the family. �It is likely to be the handiwork of some known people and those residing in the vicinity. We have detained a person. We expect a breakthrough soon,� DCP (Central) Ranjan Bhuyan told The Assam Tribune.
Locals raised questions on the functioning of police personnel in the area and alleged that despite the area being vulnerable, the security mechanism has many lapses. �Police have not taken adequate steps to ensure security in the area. We seldom see any night patrolling,� a neighbour said.
