Police impose strict restrictions after theft attempt in houses of disaster areas in Wayanad

MEPPADI: There is a flow of thieves and disaster tourists in the area eyeing the savings of people who survived the tragedy. Some from the burglary gang engage in the search operations on the pretext of rescue workers. The flow of tourists including from neighboring states, capture devastating videos and then share them on social media. As their disturbances are affecting the rescue operations, the police imposed strict restrictions on the entry of outsiders.

Thefts and theft attempts took place in the remaining houses and layams. There was a theft attempt on Saturday morning at the house of Ibrahim in Chooralmala Town. The theft was committed after breaking the door of the house and the cupboard. After the landslide, Ibrahim and his family relocated to the relief camp. When he came home to feed the cats, everything was fine. He came to know about the theft when he returned from Mundakkai after the rescue operations. There was also a theft attempt at Salim's house in Koorimannu in the village office area. The things in the cupboard were found scattered outside.

Meantime, the rescue operators are handing over all the valuable things they find in the search to the authorities. The police had shared posts on social media warning against disaster tourism.