Police bust major fake currency racket, two arrested

Shillong, Jan 31 (UNI) Meghalaya police arrested two persons and claimed to have busted a major fake currency racket and said more persons, including 'high profile politicians' of the state, were involved.

Police have seized fake notes worth Rs one lakh, reams of carbon copies of fake denomination notes, bank accounts and a branded vehicle from the arrested persons during the last 48 hours, they said.

Police, however, refused to divulge their identities but said both hailed from Boko in Assam's Kamrup district. ''We are still investigating into the matter and subsequent arrests are expected to follow,'' East Khasi Hills District Superintendent of Police AR Mawthoh told UNI here.

Elaborating on the arrest, Mr Mawthoh said on January 29, police arrested the first person from a posh locality in Shillong and seized reams of carbon copies of fake denomination notes and incriminating documents.

Based on his confession, the state police arrested another person late last night from Riangdo village, on the Assam-Meghalaya border, and seized fake notes worth Rs one lakh, bank accounts book and a brand new Alto car from his possession, Mr Mawthoh said.

Asked about the alleged involvement of some 'high profile politicians' in the racket, Mr Mawthoh said the police were still investigating into all angles. ''We are still investigating into it and the law will act accordingly,'' Mr Mawthoh stated.

He added that some vested interests could use the counterfeit currency notes during the March 3 Assembly elections.

Earlier, central intelligence agencies had tipped off the state police that counterfeit currency in 500 and 1,000 denominations, worth about Rs eight crores, had already been pumped into the state for use by 'vested interests' during the election campaign.

Intelligence sources also said the counterfeit currency racket could be part of a conspiracy by Pakistan-based ISI to disrupt the assembly elections.

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