PATHANAMTHITTA: Pampa police have intensified their search to find the accused in the case of theft of copper wires and 2G carriers of BSNL tower in Sabarimala Saramkuthi. Police have received the fingerprints of the suspected thieves. Fingerprints of workers in Sannidhanam, Pamba and Nilakkal areas have been collected to check for a match with this. There are about two hundred workers here. The thieves are suspected to be those who know the topography of Sabarimala. It is assumed by the investigation team that the thieves may have come through the forest, committed theft and returned through the forest itself.

2.73 lakhs loss

BSNL has estimated that copper wires and three 2G carriers cost Rs 2.63 lakh. One 2G carrier was found at the scene and fingerprints were obtained from it. Asbestos sheets have ruptured after the plastic cables that covered the copper were piled up and burned and there is a loss of ten thousand rupees from this and the damage to the tower. A total loss of Rs 2.73 lakh is estimated.

No CCTV footage

The electricity line from Pampa to Sannidhanam is being repaired as part of the preparations for the pilgrimage, so there has been a daytime power outage for the past one week. Due to this, the CCTVs in the area are not working. It is suspected that the theft took place at Saramkuthi during this time. CCTV footage before and after the power outage will be examined.

Theft is common before preparations

Theft is common at Sabarimala before the preparations for the pilgrimage begin. Thefts have happened in Nilakkal in previous years as well. There is no permanent police station here except during the pilgrimage season. Items get stolen before the works that are part of the preparations for the pilgrimage begin. Taps in toilets, electric switchboards, water kiosks etc. have been stolen several times. Although the authorities know that the thefts are a collaboration between the contractors undertaking the repairs and some officials of the Devaswom Board, no investigation or action is taken. The usual reason received from the authorities is that they have been destroyed in wild boar and wild elephant attacks.

Thieves came through the forest and returned to the forest

Since Saramkuthi to Sannidhanam is a tough route, people do not travel through this area. Tractors go through Chandranandan Road. It is concluded that the thieves reached this part through the forest and returned to the forest with the goods.