Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Dec 27: Timely action and presence of mind of a watchman and locals prevented what could have been a major theft at the Mulleriya branch of Kerala Gramin Bank on the intervening night between Monday December 26 and Tuesday December 27.

The thieves entered the bank at around 1.30 am on December 27. They climbed up the stairs leading to the bank located on the first floor, and first disconnected the siren and threw it away. They then broke the window panes, cut the iron rods and entered inside. While they were about to break the door of the strong room containing cash and jewellery, another siren in the bank sounded the alarm.

A watchman and people in the vicinity ran towards the bank after the alarm went off, but the thieves had fled by then. The thieves left behind two rods and plastic bags while fleeing. A CCTV camera is installed in the bank. Police said that they can identify the thieves after going through the images in it.

Vidyanagar circle inspector Babu Perinjoth, forensic experts and dog squad arrived at the bank for investigation.

A case has been registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by bank manager Vijayan.

Police suspect it was the handiwork of professional thieves. The absence of a security guard at he bank made the job easier for the thieves. New year diaries were delivered to the bank in two sacks on Monday December 26 afternoon. There is suspicion that the thieves might have planned the theft assuming that the sacks contained cash.