Silchar’s Secret Bike Chop Shop Busted, Two Arrested

In a major breakthrough against vehicle theft, Cachar Police last night (July 8) uncovered a large motorcycle dismantling racket operating from Silchar, arresting two people and recovering stolen motorcycles, dismantled bike parts and equipment allegedly used to cut the vehicles into scrap.

The operation has challenged the common belief that most stolen motorcycles from Cachar are smuggled to neighbouring Manipur. Police said cheaper stolen bikes were instead being dismantled within the district and sold as scrap to avoid detection.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sahabuddin Laskar (55), a scrap dealer from Madhurbond Kandigram, and Rahim Uddin Choudhury (25), who police alleged supplied the stolen motorcycles.

Addressing the media on Thursday, police said the investigation began after a motorcycle theft case was registered last week. During the course of the investigation, officers searched Sahabuddin’s scrap shop and found a concealed back room. While the front of the shop contained scrap materials for sale, the rear section allegedly housed dismantled motorcycle parts.

Police said the accused allegedly used cutting machines to dismantle stolen motorcycles because selling an intact stolen bike carried a higher risk of being identified. Once cut into pieces, the parts could be sold as scrap more easily.

Based on the investigation, police conducted another operation at Rahim Uddin Choudhury’s rented accommodation, where they recovered additional motorcycle parts. Two motorcycles that were still in running condition were also seized.

Among the items recovered during the operation were two complete motorcycles, numerous dismantled motorcycle components including wheels, fuel tanks, silencers and engine blocks, a compressor, three cutting machines and mobile tower batteries.

Police suspect the motorcycles were dismantled with considerable skill and believe the racket may have involved experienced mechanics or local workshop operators. Investigators also said a wider network is believed to be involved, and further arrests and recoveries are expected as the investigation progresses.

According to police, expensive stolen motorcycles were allegedly transported outside the state, while lower-value bikes were sold locally for dismantling. Police also stated that Sahabuddin had previously been arrested in connection with purchasing stolen scrap materials.

Calling the operation a major success, police said the investigation is continuing to identify other members of the network and trace additional stolen vehicles.