HASSAN: Patrolling along Shiradi Ghat on National Highway 48 has been beefed up by the police after a gang targeted passengers during the nights on the Ghat section which is surrounded by thick forests on both sides. Police are on a vigil from Donigal point to Chowdeshwari Temple, the border point in Hassan leading to Mangaluru.
About a fortnight ago, a gang of three members targeted three trucks on the Ghat section besides a car, attacking the occupants and decamping with cash. The gang looted two mobile phones and cash of Rs 4,000 from one of the trucks and robbed Rs 10,000 from another vehicle too. Later, the gang attacked a car but to no avail. All the attacks on the vehicles occurred on the same night.
Worried over the gang’s presence on Shiradi Ghat, police have tightened security all along the Ghat section upto Chowdeshwari Temple. Speaking on security measures in place on the Ghat section, a senior police officer told Deccan Chronicle on Sunday that highway patrolling has been intensified and vehicles are being checked near Maranahalli and Donigal in the Ghat.
“Whenever we get information on a vehicle moving in a suspicious manner, we stop them immediately and let them go only after ensuring that there is nothing suspicious.” Police suspect that three gangs are operating on the highway looting passengers.
