Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Sep 10: Relating to the daring daylight robbery of 21 kg gold ornaments and Rs 13 lac in cash from Eriyal branch of Kudlu Service Cooperative Bank, the policemen said they have identified one of the robbers. The person belongs to Neerchal in the district, and this person has been seen by a labourer working near the bank, and a security staff of a nearby concern. The police personnel said that soon they will release the sketch of this person.

This person, who has been an accused in some theft cases in the past, had gone missing three days before the robbery from his native place. The police personnel said they also have information about some accomplices of this person.

At the same time, the bank personnel, who have completed physical verification of gold ornaments pledged to them, said that jewellery belonging to 146 persons are found to be safe, while ornaments belonging to 905 borrowers have been robbed. The bank has put up a list of persons whose gold ornaments, weighing 4.5 kg, are found to be safe with the bank.

A police team is engaged in investigation in Karnataka, another is busy in the district, while the third one, which has plains-clothed policemen, is moving around different areas to gather information secretly.

On Wednesday September 9, north zone additional director general of police (ADGP), N Shankar Reddy, visited the town and reviewed progress in investigation. He held discussions with district superintendent of police, Dr A Srinivas, and deputy superintendent of police (DySP), T P Ranjith, who is leading the investigation. He also visited the bank where the robbery took place, and verified documents, besides gathering details from bank officials. In addition to the high ranking police officials from the district, crime department DySP, K Damodaran, state special branch DySP, M B Sukumaran, administration DySP, P Tamban, narcotics cell DySP, Premraj, coastal police circle inspector, C K Sunil Kumar, SSB circle inspector, Sibi Thomas, city circle inspector, P V Rajan, and others were present during the visit of the ADGP.

Some locals told the police that they had seen a stranger standing near a bus waiting shed about 200 metres away from the bank and having a long look at the area around, adding that they would be able to identify him if they come across him again.

Sources said that the bank has an insurance of Rs 7 crore and the customers can be suitably compensated.