Armed men in masks flee with seafood worth Rs 23,000 in Palghar

MUMBAI: Unidentified masked and armed men recently targeted a shrimp farm at Kelva in Palghar district, and fled with 75kg of the seafood crop, valued at over Rs 22,500.
The incident took place in early on February 7, at Pancham Agroculture Farms Ltd, located in the Jalsar village of Kelva.
As per a complaint filed with the Kelva police on February 11, at least seven masked men arrived at the farm around 12am. They threatened two security guards with a pistol, threw a net into the pond and fled with around three bags of shrimp. The police took the guard's statements, and are investigating further.
The use of arms to steal the seafood crop has led to panic among the aqua-agriculture farmers. In Kelva, there are 15-20 such shrimp farmers. As the farms or ponds are spread over large acres of land, it is not feasible to have CCTVs installed.
With the growing cases of thefts and assaults at shrimp farms during nighttime, farmers find it difficult to get guards to man the farms at night.
The farmers are now planning to make a representation to the Palghar superintendent of police.