Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 6: Gold jewellery weighing around 321 grams and cash were stolen from a house near Thirumalaguttu in Kilpady village while the residents were away on Saturday. Police have formed two teams to trace the burglars.
The theft took place at the house of Shakeela Poojary, who lives with her husband Harish. On Saturday morning, Harish left for work. Shakeela went to Mulki on a two-wheeler with Dilshad, a tenant staying on the upper floor of the house. From there, they travelled by bus to Shanaishchara Temple in Padu Panambur, Pavanje Temple and Karnad Santhe. When they returned home in the evening, they reportedly discovered the theft. As there are no houses in the immediate vicinity, no one noticed the incident, it is said.
The burglars broke the latch of the iron door at the front of the house by striking it with a heavy tool and entered the house. They stole gold jewellery kept in a cupboard, including six bangles, a kanthahara, two chains, four pairs of earrings, 15 rings and a karimani chain. In total, 321 grams (39 pavan) of gold jewellery, Rs 10,000 in cash and coins worth Rs 2,000 were stolen. The burglars also took clothes, including a churidar belonging to Shakeela's daughter. They reportedly left one karimani chain inside the house, latched the gate from inside and fled.
Shakeela said that some suspicious persons had been moving around the house on the previous day. A dog squad, fingerprint experts and Mulki police station officer Srikanth visited the spot. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.
The incident has caused concern among residents of the Kilpady-Shimanthur area. Recently, gold jewellery worth lacs of rupees was stolen from a house in the Kavatharu area under Mulki police limits. Earlier, valuables belonging to the deity were also stolen from the Kilpady Kordabbu Daivasthana.
Local residents have expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged lack of increased police patrolling despite a series of thefts being reported in the Mulki area. They now complain that, a few days before the recent theft at Kilpady Kordabbu Daivasthana, sounds of someone knocking on the door of a nearby house were heard. Although the patrolling police were informed about it, no action was reportedly taken, which they believe has contributed to an increase in thefts in the area.
Police have formed two teams to trace the burglars, with one team examining CCTV footage. Police have reportedly not yet obtained any preliminary information regarding the suspects. The other team is conducting checks in and around Mulki and the border areas. CCTV cameras located near the railway track are also being examined.