KOCHI: With monsoon picking up momentum, robbers from Thiruttu Gramam (village of thieves) in Thirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, have started trickling into the city. According to the police, every year a big gang of people from the hamlet migrate to Kochi during monsoon which is favourable for them.
According to police officials, they rent rooms in Kalamassery, Eloor and Kakkanad. The gang comprises men, women and children. “During each monsoon they make their way to the cities in the state for carrying out burglary as patrolling activities are not regular. They take advantage of the sound of rain to sneak into houses and shops. As usual, we identify the places where they stay and request the police to monitor their movement,” said officials with State Special Branch, Intelligence Wing of Kerala Police.
Women in the gang turn into pick pockets in buses and men resort to house breaking. “Recently, several cases of picking pockets were reported in buses. Women step into crowded buses and steal ornaments, mobile phones and money of co-passengers, mostly women. Men also break into shops. A large number of thefts at shops were reported in the city since monsoon commenced and we suspect that they are behind it. Children take to begging or picking junk from houses,” police officials said.
The police have also found that some members live here even after the rainy season ends. Police have zeroed in on such people and in case of any theft cases reported, they are interrogated. Police caught them for stealing raw materials of Metro work too.