Three members of a gang allegedly involved in the abduction of a trader were arrested by Malda police on Wednesday from Murshidabad district.

Police suspect the gang, largely based out of neighbouring Murshidabad, has carried out a number of crimes in the region.

“With the help of Murshidabad police, we have arrested three accused,” said Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Malda SP. “They have old pending cases against them too.”

SP Yadav said that a fresh case of abduction had been started against them. “An inquiry is underway,” he added. The arrested are Masud Alam, Dulal Sheikh and Aziz Sheikh, all in their 20s and inhabitants of Omarpur area in Murshidabad.

Police sources said that the youths are suspected to be behind the kidnapping of a garments seller from Fatekhani under Kaliachak police station a couple of weeks ago.

The gang had abducted the businessman and was trying to take them to Murshidabad.

However, the trader — whose name is being kept under wraps for his safety — managed to escape.

According to initial information from him, six persons were involved in the kidnap. “Three are at large but we hope to nab them soon,” said a police source who added that the arrested had admitted to their involvement in the crime.

“We are also finding out their modus operandi and are looking at other crime plans that they might have drawn up,” said a police source.

A ration dealer had been abducted from the Englishbazar police station area some months ago. Police had managed to rescue the dealer.