RANIPET: Youngsters getting addicted to ganja has resulted in the rise of robberies, according to residents of Siruvalayam village in Nemili taluk who recently petitioned the area police station to end the menace.

Signed by 6 residents, the petition alleged that coconuts, electrical wires, motor spares, starter switches and iron material were regularly stolen from farms.

E Venketesan, a resident, says, “Addicts need money to continue their habit. So, they steal items located in isolated areas. Copper wires from submersible pumps are cut and melted inside the motor room without anyone’s knowledge. We realise this only when we switch on the motor.”

K Krishnamurthy, another resident, avers that he can identify the culprits, “but I’m scared about the community backlash, as they own 90% of lands here”.

I Kumar, who had over 100 coconuts stolen from his farm, concurs, and adds: “When we handed over the petition to the police, they asked us if we suspected anyone. How can we openly say who is at fault without facing trouble from others?”

Even the lock of the Shiva temple was not spared. “Police are mostly after those selling banned gutka products and do not bother about this. This can become a major problem for the entire community if left unchecked,” states R Subash, another resident.

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