Mathilakam: An Assam native has been arrested for allegedly breaking into a government school and stealing almost everything from its kitchen—from the curry knife to sacks of rice—disrupting the mid-day meal programme for students.
The accused, Tajuddin (38), a native of Assam’s Goalpara district who was residing near Vazhoor Temple at P. Vemballur, was arrested by Mathilakam police in connection with the burglary at Kothaparambu VVUP School.
According to police, Tajuddin trespassed into the school compound, broke open the locks of the store room and kitchen, and stole five 50-kg sacks of rice (250 kg in total) along with expensive cooking and serving utensils used for preparing and distributing the students’ mid-day meals. The stolen items are estimated to be worth around ₹1 lakh.
The theft forced the disruption of the school’s lunch programme for students.
Police said the accused was living with his family in P. Vemballur and earned a livelihood by collecting and selling scrap materials.
Following an intensive investigation, officers traced the suspect and recovered 99.7 kg of the stolen rice from his residence. He was later produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
The investigation was led by Mathilakam SHO Rajeesh, with SI Nasiya M. Shahib, SI Sajeev, SI Raji, ASI Prajeesh, and a team of police personnel.
