Meerut, Aug. 7 -- The Muzaffarnagar police arrested two alleged habitual criminals who were posing as Kanwariyas to steal from unsuspecting devotees amid the massive crowds. The accused were apprehended within eight hours of the reported thefts, with police recovering eight stolen mobile phones, cash, identity documents, burglary tools and a knife. The operation led to the arrest of Bilal alias Nazakat, a resident of Kidwai Nagar in Muzaffarnagar, and Asgar, a resident of Meerut, from the Behlana bridge underpass on the Shamli bypass. The police revealed the arrests on Thursday afternoon, saying the miscreants were taken into custody following an intensive investigation involving CCTV footage analysis and local intelligence. According to police, the first complaint was lodged on August 5 by Narendra alias Chhotu, a resident of Hapur. While stopping for juice at Meenakshi Chowk, he had left his bag at a shop. The accused allegedly fled with the bag, which contained a mobile phone, cash and important identity documents. On the same day, another complaint was registered by Nizam, a resident of Khalapar, who reported the theft of a heavy-duty jack and cable wires from his house. Police said that during interrogation, the accused confessed to disguising themselves as Kanwariyas to blend into the large gathering of pilgrims before stealing Narendra's bag. They allegedly divided the stolen cash and mobile phones between themselves after the theft. The accused also admitted to carrying out a house burglary at Nizam's house. Searches conducted after their arrest led to the recovery of eight stolen mobile phones, cash, the stolen bag, photocopies of Aadhaar and PAN cards, the heavy-duty jack, dish/cable wires and a knife. Investigators are now examining whether the duo was involved in other thefts committed during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra by using the same modus operandi....