PATHANAMTHITTA: In a strange twist to burglary cases, villages in Seethathode panchayat are being haunted not by thieves after gold or electronics—but someone who targets rice, curries, and grocery items. This unusual series of thefts has been unfolding during monsoons in the forest-bordering hamlets near Sabarimala and the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Villages like Angamoozhi, Valooppara, Kochu Koikkal, and Gurunathan Mannu have reported repeated food-related thefts over the past two years. Panchayat president P R Pramod confirmed that this year too, with the monsoon beginning on May 24, a case has already emerged.
At first, residents feared Maoists might be behind these strange crimes, given the region’s jungle proximity. But both police and forest officials have dismissed the theory. “Maoists usually leave signs of their presence—they don’t sneak in for rice,” said Goodrickal range officer Ashok A S.
Rumours about armed hunter gangs from deeper forest belts were also ruled out. Forest patrols, despite being short-staffed, have observed no suspicious activity.
Interestingly, only houses left unattended have been hit. This pattern suggests someone local and familiar with village routines is involved. Ashok and Chittar inspector D Rajagopal suspect a solitary forest-dweller—an estranged man who shelters in caves—is behind the thefts. “I met him years ago. He’s not violent, just survives by quietly taking food,” the inspector recalled.
While one householder claimed ₹10,000 cash was taken in the latest incident, police rejected the claim as unverified.
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