Malayali man steals cash, other belongings from migrant workers after making them climb banyan tree wearing towel

THRISSUR: A Malayali man has been accused of stealing money and mobile phone from migrant laborers after hiring them to pluck leaves from a banyan tree at a temple. The incident took place in Thriprayar in Thrissur on Tuesday morning.

They were asked to take off their underwear as well, saying that they need to be 'pure' for this work related to a temple. The labourers clad only in a towel, were made to climb a banyan tree. When the workers looked down while picking the leaves of the tree, they saw the man leaving with their clothes and other belongings. The workers immediately came down but he managed to escape. Two mobile phones and cash amounting to Rs 16,000 were lost. The clothes were later found abandoned by the roadside. Valappadu police launched an investigation to nab the accused.