Sullia: This quiet education town woke up in the morning on Saturday to hear the shocking news of a robbery at Kantamangala close to river Payaswini.
Ramachandra is a respectable and popular businessman in town, who is also involved in social service activities. Fondly known to all as ‘Agro Ramachandra’, he lives in a house near the Kantamangala bridge in a lane that runs parallel to the river on the northern side.
Between 2-30 am and 4 am, a gang of five broke open the backdoor and gained access into the house. They first bound Ramachandra and then his wife Manjula and then the housemaid.
Following this, they took away Rs 75,000 in cash and gold ornaments worth Rs 3 lakh from the wardrobe. The couple said that they spoke in Kannada and Telugu.
Our correspondent, speaking from Kantamangala, said that besides the Sullia town station and circle police staff, DySP of Puttur Bhaskar Rai made a dash to Sullia on hearing the news. Soon to arrive were SP Dr Sharanappa, Puttur ASP-designate C B Ryshyanth and other officials.
When the last report came, they were still at the spot and holding investigations.
The act is thought to be the handiwork of a professional gang. But how they were aware of the location of the house – which is a bit away from town and situated in a green valley – and the vulnerability of the backdoor to allow access is a matter that the police are looking into. Connivance of some locals cannot be ruled out, said police sources.
Vehicle checks have been ordered all along the entry and exit points by road in the taluk and district and also in the adjacent Kasaragod district of Kerala.