ERUMELI: Rs 12 lakh was allegedly stolen from a batch of Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu who reached Sabarimala on Tuesday. The 600-member group had come here from Trichi Tiruchimavattom at 2 am in nine buses under the guidance of Alakar guruswami.
The incident is suspected to have happened when they were heading towards ‘kochambalam’. It was then that Periya swami came to notice that the money was missing from his bag, The bottom part of the bag was cut out using a blade or knife. The 12lakh comprised Rs 2000 collected from each member in the group.
Later the devotees went to the Erumeli police station and filed a complaint. They staged a sit-in at the station demanding a return of the stolen money. Following failure of the discussions held with the police officials, they started blocking Erumeli-Pamba road way, resulting in a huge traffic block in the area. Finally police had to force them out of the way.
The devotees rejected the authorities’ suggestion that money for their journey back would be arranged from Collector’s fund. They insisted on direct interference by district collector in the issue.
Kanjirappali DYDP-led team has reached the spot to hold discussions.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested three suspects in this connection. They are chenda players and are being questioned.
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