The police have arrested five persons who were attempting to steal 30 tonnes of wheat worth over ₹7 lakh from a private godown near Manali on Saturday night.
According to the police, wheat procured from different parts of the country is stored in the godown in Ariyanurali. On Saturday afternoon, a group of people arrived with two lorries and began loading bags of wheat. The manager of the godown, Lakshmanan, confronted them. One of the those loading the bags was Kalidas Kannan of Thoothukudi. “He was a labour contractor at the godown till recently,” said a police officer.
The watchman reportedly let the vehicle in as he recognised Kalidas. The police arrested Kalidas Kannan, Sudalaimuthu, Chinnarasu, Prabhu and Mahadevan.
A total of 750 bags was seized. A hunt is on for one more suspect.
