In a daring pre-dawn burglary, unidentified miscreants broke into Keishamthong Model High School and stole 17 bags of rice meant for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, while also attempting to make away with computer equipment.
The theft reportedly took place around 3 a.m. today. School authorities said 17 out of 38 rice bags stored in the school’s storeroom were found missing when staff arrived in the morning. One rice bag was discovered abandoned near the school gate, leading authorities to suspect that the thieves may have dropped it while fleeing in haste.
Adding to the mystery, three sets of computers were found placed near the school gate, suggesting that the burglars had also attempted to steal computer equipment but were unable to carry them away.
According to school officials, the perpetrators forced their way into the premises by breaking four locks. The main gate, inner shutter gate, storeroom and computer room had all been securely locked before the incident.
A morning walker reportedly noticed a diesel auto-rickshaw parked near the school gate at around 3:20 a.m. but initially assumed it was carrying women vegetable vendors who regularly sell produce in the area. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was seen speeding towards Keishamthong and crossing the bridge.
Residents later observed grains of rice scattered along the road, apparently falling from the stolen sacks during transport. The trail, however, reportedly disappeared near the Moirangkhom Oil Pump, making it difficult to trace the vehicle’s subsequent route.
The incident was reported to Imphal Police Station. CCTV footage obtained from nearby locations reportedly showed a diesel auto-rickshaw loaded with rice bags crossing Keishamthong Bridge at around 3:35 a.m.
School authorities said the school’s CCTV surveillance system had been switched off during the night, leaving investigators without footage from inside the campus.
Police have launched an investigation to identify the culprits and recover the stolen rice meant for schoolchildren under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The incident has sparked concern among local residents and school authorities over the security of educational institutions and government-supplied food stocks.
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