Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalru (SP)
Mangaluru, Aug 21: In an incident that has the potential to shake the confidence of the general public on the ability of the state's police force to save them from thieves and anti-social elements, a fully grown sandalwood tree was stolen from the bungalow of the inspector general of police (IGP) here.
The fact that the thieves executed this theft in broad daylight from the bungalow belonging to a police officer who heads four districts, is likely to prove a blemish in the history of the police in the district.
The bungalow, currently occupied by IGP, Hemant Nimbalkar, is located at Maryhill near the helipad that is about five km away from the city centre. As per information, the sandalwood tree disappeared from its located within the compound of the IGP four days back. The entire tree including its base and roots was found to have been extirpated and carried away by thieves.
Being the official residence of the IGP, this bungalow is provided with round-the-clock security. The theft happened in the afternoon. It is clear that the thieves executed a well-planned theft backed by meticulous planning, going by the timing of the theft.
Police sources said that the tree was stolen several days ago. Apparently, a case was filed under the Karnataka Forests Act and Section 379 of the IPC on July 28 in Kavoor police station, based on a complaint filed by DAR staff Krishnappa.
The missing tree was part of a long line of trees including teak and rosewood that have been grown in the compound of the bungalow. The sandalwood tree was standing by the side of the bungalow. The thieves uprooted the tree with its roots and took it away, perhaps thinking that no one will notice that there was a tree hat the spot in the past. Only those who frequently visited this bungalow in the past noticed that this tree was missing.
The police department has to do something urgently to win over the trust of the people. It is but natural for the people to wonder what would happen to them if a tree could be stolen from the premises of IGP's bungalow that has been provided with high security, unnoticed.
It is said that a sandalwood tree had been stolen in this fashion during the term of IGP Satyanarayana Rao but the incident had not become public knowledge. One hopes that Nimbalkar will bust this racket and book the culprits involved.