Fire gang runs riot, cops clueless

Residents of Indirapuram and Vaishali, considered among the best housing localities in the district, are a worried lot as the area is under attack by miscreants who at nights set on fire two-wheelers parked outside.

Residents of Indirapuram and Vaishali, considered among the best housing localities in the district, are a worried lot as the area is under attack by miscreants who at nights set on fire two-wheelers parked outside.

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In the past 30 days, eight motorcycles and scooters were burnt in separate incidents, the police said. Although the police have officially termed the miscreants "fire gang", they are yet to track down the culprits.

"They open the petrol supply line of the vehicle and dip a sponge into the petrol tank. This sponge is later set afire which completely burns down the vehicle without bursting the tank," senior superintendent of police (SSP) Raghubir Lal said.

Indirapuram RWA confederation officials claimed that about 15 bikes were set afire so far. "We are making the residents aware about these activities. We have also requested the police to involve residents in community policing at nights to help nab the culprits," said Kuldeep Saxena from the confederation. The gang strikes two-wheeled vehicles parked outside apartments, mostly between 1am and 3am.

One of the victims said that after his bike was charred, he bought a second-hand bike because he feared the new one will meet the same fate. "This is very serious. I fear for my vehicle every night. The police have done nothing so far to trace the culprits," said Chandra Bhan, a victim from Vaishali.

The first incident such incident took place last month at Sector 1, Vaishali, where three bikes parked outside apartments were set afire.

The latest incident was reported last week where three motorcycles were reduced to ashes in a similar fashion at Sector 3, Vaishali.