Kerala police form six anti-theft squads after Wayanad landslide victims report looting in their abandoned homes

Flood ravaged Wayanad is witnessing theft now, forcing the police to form anti-theft squads.

Police sources said that incidents of theft were reported at some of the houses from where people were evicted following the landslide. Hence, six anti-theft squads have been formed in the district to maintain vigil.

The decision of the government to restrict the entry of people posing as volunteers to the landslide hit area is also in view of the theft incidents. Sunday onwards the registration has been made mandatory for people who reach Wayanad as volunteers.

People living in many houses close to the landslide hit spots of Chooralmala and Mundakkai regions were shifted to safer places and relief camps.

The thieves were reportedly targeting many such houses. Theft was even reported from a house near the spot where a bailey bridge was constructed.

Some of the affected people have urged the authorities to identify and punish those who enter the area at night with the intention of stealing.

"We are the ones who have lost everything in the tragedy," PTI quoted an affected person.

"We had abandoned our homes to ensure our safety during the landslide tragedy. But when we returned to check the state of our home after that, we found the doors broken open."

He complained that thieves had even targeted their room in the resort where they are currently staying and stolen their clothes.

In a statement on Saturday evening, the authorities said that police patrols had been launched in the disaster-hit areas, including Chooralmala and Mundakkai.

"Action will be taken against those who enter the affected areas or homes of the victims at night without permission," the statement said.

"No one is allowed to enter the affected areas or homes, either in the name of rescue operations or otherwise, without police permission at night," it said.

As rescue operations in the landslide-hit areas of the district entered their fifth day, rescuers unearthed more bodies and body parts, bringing the death toll to 218.

(With PTI inputs)