Puttur: In a concerning incident that has unsettled residents, an unidentified man was caught by locals in Uppinangady after he allegedly entered houses in broad daylight under the pretext of asking for water and attempted to latch doors from inside.
The incident occurred near Bank Road on Sunday, triggering panic among residents, especially as the man reportedly targeted houses where women were alone.
Incident begins with elderly woman
According to residents, the man first approached the house of an elderly woman who was alone at the time. He reportedly asked for drinking water, appearing distressed due to the scorching heat. Responding on humanitarian grounds, the woman went inside to fetch water from the kitchen.
However, during this brief moment, the man allegedly entered the house and latched the main door from inside. Sensing something unusual, the elderly woman noticed his actions and immediately raised an alarm.
Her cries alerted neighbours, prompting the man to flee the scene before any harm could be caused.
Second attempt in nearby house
After escaping from the first house, the man reportedly entered another nearby residence where a lone woman was present. In a similar manner, he allegedly attempted to latch the door from inside.
The woman, realising the suspicious behaviour, raised her voice for help. Local residents quickly gathered in response, forcing the man to flee once again.
The repeated attempts in quick succession heightened fear in the locality, with residents becoming increasingly vigilant.
Residents track down suspect
Determined to prevent further incidents, a group of local residents began searching for the man. Their efforts led them to a structure located behind the house of a local businessman, where the suspect was found hiding.
Residents immediately informed the businessman and, with collective effort, managed to apprehend the man. He was then handed over to the police for further investigation.
Suspicious behaviour raises concerns
Residents noted that the man initially communicated through gestures, pretending to be mute while asking for water. This behaviour reportedly gained him sympathy and access to homes.
However, when he was caught and handed over to the police, he spoke in Malayalam and claimed that he was engaged in rubber tapping work.
This sudden change in behaviour has raised suspicions among locals, who are now questioning his intentions and background.
Community shaken, police urged to act
The incident has left residents of Uppinangady shaken, particularly as it occurred during the daytime and involved vulnerable individuals at home alone. Many expressed concern over the misuse of goodwill, especially when people respond with kindness to those seeking basic help like water.
Locals have urged the police to conduct a thorough verification of the man’s identity and background, and to determine whether he was involved in similar incidents elsewhere.
Residents also emphasised the need for increased patrolling and awareness to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Conclusion
While no physical harm was reported, the incident has highlighted the importance of vigilance even during seemingly routine interactions. The quick response by residents ensured that the suspect was apprehended before the situation could escalate further.
Authorities are expected to continue their investigation to establish the man’s motives and ensure the safety and security of the community.