Chain snatchers have field day at temple festival

Coimbatore: Three chain snatching incidents were reported during the Angalaparameshwari temple consecration held at Kamatchipuram Aadhinam near Ondipudur here on Friday morning. Police claimed that more than 4, 000 devotees were gathered for the function when the chain snatching incidents were reported.

The temple was constructed inside Kamatchipuram Aadhinam and its consecration was held on Friday morning. The chain snatchers, who mingled with the devotees, snatched two sovereigns of gold chain from P Nanjammal of Kamatchipuram. They also snatched two gold chains weighing about 5.5 sovereigns from Meenakshi, wife of Kaliyappan from Kamatchipuram.

Subsequently, the thieves snatched 2.5 sovereigns of gold chain from Kalamani, wife of Ramakrishnan from SKV Employees Colony near Kamatchipuram.

Police said that as more than 4,000 devotees took part in the consecration, they were unable to monitor the usual suspects as they were busy with the general security duty. Private videographers, who recorded the entire function, have handed over the videotapes to Singanallur (crime) police.

"We have been checking the footage taken during the temple consecration. The chain snatchers will be arrested soon," said a police officer.