2 hrs ago
Assam Chief Minister Says 380 Middlemen Arrested in Drive
Assam carried out a special operation against people called middlemen, or “dalals.”
These people allegedly took money from the public to help get government work done.
Many of them were said to work near police stations.
Officials identified about 410 suspected middlemen and arrested around 380.
Some were also accused of fraud, including pretending to be police officers.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the operation began early Saturday.
He said a similar operation in 2022 led to about 200 arrests.
The government plans to investigate middlemen in other departments and create a portal for people to report them.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said around 380 middlemen were arrested during a special operation over the past few days.
Authorities identified about 410 alleged middlemen, mainly operating near police stations, using information from media reports and other sources.
The operation began early Saturday under directives issued at a conference of senior police officers.
Those arrested were accused of fraudulent activities, including allegedly impersonating police personnel.
Sarma said similar operations would be expanded to other government departments, and a portal would allow the public to submit verified complaints.
- Who
- Assam authorities, acting under directives from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, targeted alleged middlemen and fraudsters.
- What
- Around 380 of approximately 410 identified alleged middlemen were arrested in a special operation.
- Where
- The arrests took place in Assam, primarily involving people operating near police stations.
- When
- The intensified operation began early Saturday; Sarma announced the arrests on September 7.
- Why
- The operation sought to curb alleged middlemen who take money from the public and fraudulent activities, including impersonating police personnel.
Key facts
- Arrests
- Around 380 alleged middlemen were arrested.
- People identified
- Authorities identified approximately 410 alleged middlemen.
- Main operating area
- Many allegedly operated near police stations.
- Earlier operation
- A similar operation in 2022 resulted in around 200 arrests.
- Information sources
- Authorities used social media and mainstream media reports, followed by verification.
- Planned expansion
- Similar drives are expected in other government departments.
- Public reporting
- The Special Branch is expected to create a portal for submitting names of suspected middlemen.
Quotes
Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister
“We verified the information, and around 410 ‘dalals or middlemen’ were identified. Of these, around 380 have been arrested.”
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