Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Chain snatching reported in festival area

Thiruvananthapuram: At least four chain snatching cases were reported in the Attukal Pongala festival area in the city on Friday. Nearly 15 women devotees reported loss of property, mostly purses and gold anklets, in the hustle and bustle of the festival. Eight women sustained minor burn injuries. No children or adults were reported missing.

The police arrested a 30-year-old man hailing from Karnataka on the charge of snatching the gold necklace of a woman at Killipalam. Another man was arrested from Attukal Temple precincts on the charge of attempting to steal a devotee’s purse.

Four women from Tamil Nadu were arrested on the charge of plotting a series of chain snatchings in the festival area. The police identified them as Kanakeshwari, 42, of Nagercoil, Kumari, 21, of Marthandam, Bhavani, 21, of Aruppukottai and Visala, 21, of Palaghat. An official said the women operated as a gang and their antecedents were being verified.

A 22-year-old youth was arrested on the charge of stealing audio systems from four vehicles parked near Kuriyathi. A break dance demonstration in the early hours of Friday resulted in a fight between two groups of youth at Thampanoor. The police arrested 14 persons in connection with the violence.

Several women fell unconscious during the day. One, who had a heart condition, was admitted to the General Hospital. A woman, who was carrying a pot of water, fell and broke her hand at Overbridge junction.

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