Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 29: In an incident which occurred during late night on Monday December 28, a Toyota Innova car and a motor bike, both of which were parked inside the compound of a house, were burnt down. The incident occurred at Amblamogaru Madaka within the limits of Konaje police station.

The police, who have expressed suspicion that this could have been the handiwork of petrol thieves, have taken two persons into custody for questioning.

Both the vehicles belonged to Jabbar from Madaka. Flames from the vehicles also leapt towards the walls of Jabbar's house, as a result of which the wall developed cracks. Loss in the incident has been estimated at Rs 10 lac.

The incident, as per estimates, occurred around 1.30 pm, after all the family members went to sleep. The family came to know about it after a boy from neighbouring house saw the flames and raised an alarm. The family members, with the help of locals, succeeded in dousing the fire, which was about to engulf the house.

It is gathered that a racket of petrol thieves is very active in this region. Incidents of gang of youth who are thought to be under the influence of drugs, stealing petrol from parked vehicles are reported from the area often. The family members of Jabbar suspect that the lighter ignited by the petrol thieves would have started this fire.

Police personnel from Konaje station visited the spot, conducted inquiry, and registered a case. On the basis of suspicion, two have been taken into custody. Further investigation is in progress.