O J's Corner : Reflections

Burglars on the rampage

The Left Democratic Front Government led by no-nonsense Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan is yet to come to grips with the nuts and bolts of governance. No one can blame it now for non-governance.

The interregnum is D-day, not for political rivals, but for burglars, criminals and goons. They are the major beneficiaries of the change-over. Make hay while the Sun shines appears to be their maxim.

But the State Government should lose no time to call a halt to this ugly scenario. Be they from Kerala or outside, the State should not be held to ransom by thugs, hooligans, hoods and goons.

Our police is not that imbecile, provided it is not bridled. Since no politics could be involved, the police can be given a free run to nab the culprits. There would be only money politics for the house-breakers.

The alacrity with which the police should act should be particularly with reference to the recent bank robberies.

The State has witnessed large-scale bank robberies these days. Luckily, there was no use of force on security staff or bank managers.

The burglars made good their escape with the booty of gold ornaments and currency worth Rs 1.67 crore from the Kanjani branch of Manalur Service Co-operative Bank in Thrissur district on May 28.

Five days before, burglars had spirited away gold items and currency worth Rs 83 lakh from Kodungalloor branch of Lord Krishna Bank.

The distance between these two banks is only 30 kms and the burglaries occurred within five days.

Kanjani bank heist was done in an interesting way. It appears the burglars had attempted breaking open a jewellery shop in the same building. The  building wall  had given way for one to squeeze through.
The safety alarm was destroyed, but the strong room would not cave in.

The time available was limited at the disposal of the criminals, for a nearby hotel was open and active with customers even after midnight. The same hotel would re-open at 4.30 am. They should have their loot within four hours.

Therefore, they squeezed themselves back to home in on the co-operative bank. Its wall and almirahs co-operated with the thiefs,  for these were fragile.

The monsoons are heavy, the alleys are dark, for power supply goes off at a trickle of the rains. One is not sure whether this area was powerless.

Be that as it may,confidence should be restored within no time that the people cannot be held to ransom.

Inter-State or intra-State, the gangs should be caught and brought to  book.

Governments come and go, but the rule of the law should prevail.