Thiruvananthapuram: Frequent break-ins at Jawahar Nagar colony

Thiruvananthapuram: Jawahar Nagar, the oldest housing colony in Kerala, which is also an elite colony, is facing yet another crisis after drinking water scarcity. There were a series of burglary attempts on households in the colony when the family is away. Though nothing was stolen in about 15 break-ins, the residents panicked after Museum Police allegedly turned a blind eye to their complaints

There were a series of unsolved burglaries, at increasingly frequent intervals at Jawahar Nagar and neighbouring Vellayambalam Jawahar Lane where most of the houses are occupied by senior citizens. The first break-in happened at a house opposite Institute of Cost Accountants of India at VJ Lane when the family was out of station. Unfortunately, the family saw that the front window was broken only after few days. The police was taken aback with the results as what they got from there was the fingerprint of a child. Later, the burglar(s) targeted more houses in Jawahar Nagar. The police got a CCTV visual of a thief trying to climb the railings of a veranda.

N. Jayakumar, secretary, Jawahar Nagar Welfare Association told DC that the police is suspecting a local resident from the CCTV visuals.

“The break-in’s have happened before midnight and when residents were away. Nothing has been stolen so far. The police is looking for further proof and we are confident they will nab the culprit soon after comparing fingerprints,” said Jayakumar.

However, an elderly woman resident of Jawahar Nagar expressed her anguish over the series of break-ins.

“The thief is a local guy with relatives in the police station, and the residents are unlikely to get any co- operation from them. Nothing was taken, it is true.  But it is a truly horrible feeling to think of a stranger pawing through your belongings, a violation that is not just traumatic but scary as well,” she said.

A Museum police official who probed the break-ins confirmed that they have got written complaints from the residents. P. Harilal, Museum Police Station House Officer told DC that just because the CCTV footage shows similarity with a local resident, he can’t arrest the suspect.

“We got a fingerprint from only one house after there was a break-in. There has to be substantial proof to link the suspect with the break-ins. If there are any residents who have further evidence or suspicion, they should come before me”, said the Station House Officer.