Police, Forest dept. launch joint search operations in Sabarimala forests

Taking a serious note of a spate of thefts reported in homes on the fringes of the Sabarimala forests , the police and Forest Department have launched a massive search operation inside the forest.

There have been reports of cooked food, cooking utensils and other household items being stolen from several houses on the forest fringe settlements of Pathanamthitta. As part of the drive, a police team comprising officials from Thannithode, Chittar, Moozhiyar, and Konni police stations collaborated with forest officials to search the forested regions of Kochu Koikkal, Gurunathanmannu and Kokkathodu on Saturday.

According to officials, the search effort involved multiple teams, including 27 members of the Special Operations Group (SOG) from Malappuram. ``Drone surveillance was used extensively to cover the dense terrain, while an ambulance and a medical team too were stationed nearby as precautionary measures’‘, said an official.

The day-long search, however, yielded no conclusive evidence of suspicious activity. Tribals collecting honey were found in some areas. However, the team did not receive any tip-off from them regarding the incidents.

Thannithode Police Inspector Vijayaraghavan, along with commandos and forest officials, led the search in the Gurunathanmannu Vazhappara area. Similar teams combed the Kochukoikkal Veluthodu and Kokkathode Nellikkapara regions, supervised by senior police officials and Special Branch officers.

The Chittar police had earlier registered three cases related to the thefts but were unable to uncover leads despite detailed investigations.

The incidents, reported mainly in the Gudrikkal-Vadasserikkara forest range, involved the disappearance of cooked food and household items.

Officials said though no concrete evidence was found during the operation, the search would continue in collaboration with forest officials.