THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major security lapse, costly fire extinguisher tools were found stolen from the premises of Assembly complex and MLA hostel at Palayam on Monday. A special team led by Cantonment Assistant Commissioner K E Baiju, has registered a case and a probe has been initiated to trace the culprits.
According to police, the theft took place at three different times and the thieves decamped with around 30 tools kept at the emergency fire alarm section at both the institutions. The police said the theft was a well-planned execution and they managed to divert the attention of the public.
The incident came to light only on Monday and the police registered a case based on the instructions of City Police Commissioner P Prakash. The thieves succeeded in stealing the tools kept beyond the range of CCTV cameras installed which made the task of police team difficult to trace the thieves. The Fire and Rescue officials had earlier informed the security about the missing of the tools.
However, they maintained secrecy about the theft fearing embarrass ment. According to Prakash, a police team was entrusted with the investigation to find out the culprits.
The police said the tools looted were brass valves of fire hydrants which are very costly. At the MLA hostel, the theft took place at Chandragiri and Neyyar block. The series of thefts at the sensitive institutions revealed the lack of proper attention by the security personnel concerned.