Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SS)

Puttur, Feb 22: A team of people claiming to be from an Ashram and with fake ID cards are engaged in collecting money and old clothes from residents which came to light here when they visited a home in Komla.

Two women visited social worker Pradeep Komla's home on Monday claiming to be from a handicapped and old age home in Ilavala near Mysuru. They sought his help and requested him to donate old clothes and money towards the upkeep of the Ashram. Out of suspicion Pradeep asked the women to show him their ID cards. The women are unable to answer him properly and confidently. Later, the women produced a letter which was said to be from the Ashram's chairman that requests people to donate generously towards the cause of the Ashram.

When Pradeep called up the phone number that was displayed on the Ashram’s letterhead, chairman of the Ashram S K Ramesh answered the call and informed Pradeep that they have not directed any of his staff members to collect old clothes or money on behalf of the Ashram. Ramesh also told Pradeep that the women at the latter's doorstep were not from the Ashram and that he should not help them while also requesting Pradeep to seize the letter from the women that claims them to be representatives of the Ashram. Later, the women escaped from the scene.

In a media interaction, Pradeep said that a team of people claiming to be from an Ashram were found washing the old clothes that they collect from residents on the banks of the river Netravati near Uppinangady old gate and cheat people by selling them off as new clothes in market fairs. Pradeep has warned people to be wary and careful of such people and has urged the police to take suitable action against perpetrators of such crimes.