Now, a valid ID proof mandatory to buy bicycles in Jaipur

Keeping in mind the use of bicycles to plant the explosives in recently held Pune bomb explosions and 2008 blasts in Jaipur, Rajasthan police in Jaipur has instructed all the bicycle shop owners to submit proper identification proof prior to the sale of every bicycle from every customer. Police has further asked them to submit the document to law enforcement agencies.

Jaipur Police Commissioner B.L. Soni issued the orders for the same to all the bicycle shop owners on Thursday. Earlier, on May 13, 2008 in Jaipur, brand new bicycles laden with explosives were parked at nine places in the Walled City area which lead to the death of 71 people in the city.

"It has been seen in some recent terror strikes that terrorists tend to buy bicycles, plant bombs on them and then park these at inconspicuous places in crowded markets," a senior police officer told IANS.

Throwing light upon the Investigations of the Jaipur serial blasts, he added, total nine terrorists came to Jaipur via Delhi in a Volvo bus, purchased bicycles from Kishanpole Bazaar here and planted explosives in them the same day. Timer watches were used to execute the blasts.

"The special investigation team (SIT) which was formed to probe the serial blasts had prepared sketches of the terror suspects on the basis of description given by bicycle shop owners. It proved quite vital in the probe," said the officer.

The officer said that after knowing about the use of bicycles in the recently held Pune blasts also, it was decided to pass a regulation for the shop owners in Jaipur to take an identification proof from a purchaser.

"These identification documents may come in handy while investigation into any terror activity in the future," the officer added.

-With inputs from IANS