Team Mangalorean - Beltangady
from Avinash Ujire

Beltangady: In yet another case of thieves using a ploy of diverting the attention of their targets, a family on a pilgrimage visit to Dharmasthala lost a bag containing gold and valuables of total value in excess of Rs 3 lakh.

Vishwanath Gowda from Hardalli Mandalli of Bidkalkatte and family members were at the Netravati bathing ghat near Dharmasthala  had kept their valuables in a bag at the time of bath as part of the religious ritual. Although the bag was being watched, a stranger is said to have diverted their attention by letting free a ten-rupee note, which flew around.

Mistaking it to be theirs, the family got busy in picking it up. In the meantime, the bag was snatched and taken away without their knowledge.

It contained mobile phone, watches, necklace, gold bangles and chain, wallet and other valuables. A complaint has been registered in the police station here.