Marsaghai: Marsaghai police have arrested a six-member gang of inter-district thieves of ashtadhatu (also called octo-alloy) idols today.
The accused persons have been identified as Narayan Sahu (29) of Kundapatna village under Brahmabarada police limits of Jajpur district, Jayaprakash Behera alias Simpa (23) of Mohammadpur village under Kisannagar police limits, Hemant Nayak (54), Anil Sahu (33) of Bhatimunda village under Tangi police, Debendra Nayak alias Sonu (21) of Bainapada village under Nemala police limits and Sangram Rout alias Kuna (25) of Chhapchikana village (all from Cuttack district).
Briefing reporters, police claimed to have seized 5110 kg aluminium articles, one pick-up van, one mini-truck, one car, three motorcycles, wire cutting machine, weighing machine and nine astadhatu idols from their possession.
The gang has cases against its name at several police stations which include Kendrapara Town police station, Derabish, Nikirai, Bhubaneswar and different police stations of Cuttack.