KOZHIKODE: Traders at 'SM Street' are shocked. One theft and three attempts of theft were reported from the Baby market of the street on Friday night. The burglars broke into all the four shops. A street cleaner who first noticed the break-in attempts, reported the matter to traders. The shops that were broken into were Shafeer Traders, New Style, Apsara Enterprises and Kevin Arcade. The rolling shutters of Shafeer Traders were entirely up and Rs 25,000 was stolen. The direction of CCTV cameras fixed at the rear end of the shop was also changed. The main door of Kevin Arcade was destroyed in the attempt to open it.
The market has five gates of which one would remain open to allow head-load workers to unload goods. There were CCTV cameras at all entrances. K. Manzoor of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti said it is the first time such an incident is reported at SM Street. "The last trader left the street at 10.30 pm. The attacks might have taken place after that," he said. "The thieves might have only targeted the money as they left the goods untouched at Shafeer Traders," police said.
Sub-inspector T.P. Devadas, the investigation officer, told this newspaper that moves are afoot to examine the CCTV cameras. Directions were given to shop owners to submit copies of the visuals recorded the previous night. "Only one case was filed as there was only one theft. The other incidents would be considered along with the case," he added.
