Moradabad (UP), Oct 15: Mining mafia Zafar, who recently became a bone of contention between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand police, was arrested by Moradabad police from Pakbara area on Saturday, a senior police officer said here.
Senior Superintendent of Police Hemant Kutiyal said that a checking campaign was being carried out by the local police since Wednesday for the arrest of the wanted criminal, Zafar, who carried a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh.
He said that on Saturday morning Zafar was spotted on Kailsha road and when challenged Zafar fired on the police party. “In retaliatory firing Zafar was injured and arrested,” he said.
On October 12, in pursuit of Zafar a team of Moradabad police entered Uttarakhand and reached Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar. It has been alleged that during firing by UP police a woman was killed.
However, the Moradabad police denied the allegation and claimed that its team was held captive by the persons, who provided shelter to Zafar and their weapons were snatched by them. Taking advantage of the situation Zafar fled from the spot.
The Moradabad police lodged an FIR against 35 people after the incident. An FIR against the personnel of UP police was also lodged by Uttarakhand police.
After the attack on the team of UP police, Additional Director General of Police (ASG) Bareilly zone Raj Kumar increased the bounty on Zafar from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. “Besides, 10 teams were formed for his arrest,” sources said.
Police sources said that Zafar was on the list of mining mafias in the district.
“On September 13, Zafar and his aides attacked the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the Mining Officer of Thakurdwara and held them captive and looted a dumper.
“A case was lodged against five named and 150 unidentified people in this regard of which 17 including Tayyab have been arrested,” they said.
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