GOOD WORK: M. M. Bhagwat, SP, interacts with persons who caught two thieves red-handed at Nandanam, in Nalgonda on Saturday.

NALGONDA: Two thieves, who completed three months of imprisonment only two days ago, had to go behind bars once again, thanks to the alertness of a couple of citizens of Nandanam in Bhongir (rural) mandal.

According to the M.M. Bhagwat, Superintendent of Police, Yelagala Ilaiah, a biscuit vendor and Beerubabu, scrap seller, were convicted in a theft case filed at Yadagirigutta on August 10. They were released on November 28 and sent to their native place.

Vain bid

However, they made a vain bid to loot the house of a provisional stores owner, Ravinder Reddy, a physically challenged person, two days later at Nandanam.

"On hearing a strange sound at the rear door of our house at 11 p.m., I sensed trouble and raised an alarm. As none reacted, I called up my neighbour, Siddiram alias Siddu, using my mobile," Reddy told The Hindu on Friday.

Siddu took a cricket bat and joined Reddy in chasing the duo. They were caught by the villagers within 15 minutes.

"On finding a card issued by the Nalgonda district prison in Ilaiah's pocket, we realised that they were released only a couple of days ago," Siddu maintained. Later, the villagers came to know that the duo had broken open the door of a house before cutting the grill of Reddy's house.

Locked up

The village Maskuri, Sattaiah, locked them up in the panchayat building for the night and handed the over to Bhongir police the next day. Elated by the citizens' initiative in nabbing the thieves, the SP called for Reddy, Siddu and Sattaiah and interacted with them in his chambers on Thursday. Appreciating their brave act, he handed over Rs.500 each on behalf of the district police. "People also part of policing. Every one must be vigilant to rein in the bad elements," Mr. Bhagwat observed.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail