Jaipur: A special team of Hanumangarh police Tuesday arrested an alleged operative of the Jagga Pehalwan and Sajjan Balsamandia gangs, accused of involvement in a series of firing incidents targeting liquor contractors earlier this year.Hanumangarh superintendent of police B Aditya said the accused, Laxman Das (24), a resident of Salarpur village in Haryana’s Sirsa district, had been absconding for months and was wanted in multiple cases in Rajasthan and Haryana. He was arrested following sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering during a special drive against organised crime, wanted criminals and gang members.Police said Das is an active member of the Jagga Pehalwan and Sajjan Balsamandia gangs. He is wanted in two cases registered at Bhirani police station involving attempted murder, firing, criminal intimidation and organised crime. He is also wanted in an Arms Act case in Hanumangarh and another at Ratia police station in Haryana’s Sirsa district.Investigators described him as a habitual offender with around six criminal cases registered in Rajasthan, Haryana and Chhattisgarh, including extortion, attempted murder, firing incidents and organised crime.The Bhirani cases relate to alleged firing at a liquor shop in Chhanibadi on March 12 and an alleged attempt to murder during another shooting at a liquor shop in Chidiya Gandhi on March 26. Police alleged the attacks were part of the gangs’ campaign to intimidate and extort liquor contractors in the region.Five accused, including alleged gang leader Sajjan of Balsamand and the gang’s alleged main shooter, have already been arrested and sent to judicial custody. SP Aditya said efforts were on to trace the remaining accused and dismantle the network. Investigation is underway.Police said Das allegedly played a key role in reviving the gangs’ campaign of threatening and targeting liquor contractors in the region.
