A suspected burglary attempt involving three armed intruders in Narasingapuram, near Athur in Salem district, ended after police arrived with their siren activated in the early hours of November 6, according to a report by Dinamalar. The suspects fled across the Salem–Vriddhachalam railway track and escaped through a scrub-covered area despite a police pursuit.
The incident took place at about 2am in the Old Housing Board residential area of Narasingapuram municipality. The three men allegedly targeted the house of a resident identified as Karthi in the municipality’s ninth ward and broke the lock on the outer gate. Residents switched on lights after noticing activity outside, but the men reportedly remained in the area carrying sickles, crowbars and other iron rods.
According to the report, the suspects also attempted to break the locks of two nearby houses. Residents switched on lights and raised an alarm, prompting the men to move away. At another house, they reportedly pressed the calling bell before leaving when the occupants turned on the lights.
Residents contacted Athur Town Police Station and the Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office, but the report said no one answered the calls at that time. They subsequently informed the emergency number 100. Athur Town police reached the area at around 2.40am with their siren sounding, after which the three suspects became alert and ran towards the railway track.
Police chased the group but could not apprehend them as they escaped through a scrubland area. The police are investigating the identity and movements of the suspects. The report did not state whether any resident was injured, whether valuables were stolen or whether arrests had been made by the time of publication.
The incident has raised concerns among residents in Athur and Narasingapuram, where Dinamalar reported increased movement of unidentified people near unoccupied homes and houses occupied by single residents. Residents told the publication that women, elderly people and government employees living alone could be vulnerable to break-ins or possible attacks when they open their doors or come outside at night.
Residents have sought increased police patrolling during the night and early morning, particularly during the Deepavali period. Their concern centres not only on preventing theft but also on the time taken to respond to emergency calls in neighbourhoods where homes are close to railway land, vacant plots and scrub-covered areas.
The police investigation into the three suspects and the reported attempted break-ins is continuing. The authorities’ next steps, including identification of the suspects and any arrests or additional patrol arrangements, were not specified in the report.
