Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Mar 15: Members of certain organizations mobbed the town police station here on Wednesday March 14, accusing the police of allowing cattle thieves go scot free, even after information about the theft was passed on to them. They claimed that the police here were told about cattle from cattle shed being loaded into the car, thieves were escaping after flashing swords at the family members etc but they failed to act.

The protesters also alleged that the police, in addition to showing apathy towards their duty, also failed to protest the interests of the informants.

President of Padumarnadu gram panchayat, who had given information about fleeing cattle thieves, has registered a murder attempt case in the police station.

At around 5 am on Wednesday, a cow in the cattle shed of Rajesh living near Padumarnadu was stolen by a gang of four which arrived in a Ritz car. When the cow was being stuffed into the car, some dogs barked. Srinath, president of the panchayat, living in the neighbouring house, came out and rushed to the cattle thieves. But the gang members flashed sword at him and escaped, it is said.

Srinath and Yashwanth then chased the car of the thieves. The car took Beluvai route and then turned towards Moodbidri. Srinath then called Moodbidri police and gave their information. The police told him that check post has been set up near Alangar Katte. Srinath reposed faith on this information. When he reached Alangar, he found no police personnel there. He then called the police at which the police reportedly lied to him that they were near the Ring Road.

The thieves, sensing that they were being chased closely, drove the car haphazardly to thwart the chaser. The car entered the drain near Gandhinagar. One of those inside the car brandished his sword, and threw an iron rod and bottle of Maaza drink towards Srinath's car. Srinath's wind shield was shattered in this incident. Srinath, who chased the thieves till Thodar village, came back.

As this information reached people, members of Hindu organizations came in droves to Moodbidri, expressed anger at the failure of the police to apprehend the accused even after information was given to them. They laid siege to the police station and said they will not leave the venue till the thieves are arrested.

Panambur assistant commissioner of police, Rajendra D S, came there and tried to convince the protesters. He also assured that the thieves would be arrested soon. The activists then relented, giving police two days time to arrest the culprits.