Residents of Kurhama area of district Ganderbal have been forced to spend sleepless nights since the past week as a group of masked men, stalking the area during night hours have sparked fear among the populace.

The masked men believed to be the part of an organized gang of thieves, have  so far robbed three houses and Jamia Masjid of Kurhama.

Police sources say that during the intervening nights of 9 and 10th August, three houses belonging to Manzoor Ahmad Rather, Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh and Ghulam Rasool Ganaie were robbed. The thieves also stole a cash chest (safe) of Jamia Masjid  Kurhama.

“They took away about Rs 2000 to 3000 from the Jamia Masjid cashchest (safe),”said Firdous Ahmad, cashier of Jamia Masjid.

While they stole two bikes from the houses they robbed, they also took away cooper utensils and other house hold goods from these houses, sources said.

Interestingly, the residents have already approached police station Khirbhawani with the complaint.

However undeterred by the residents complaint to the Police, the gang struck again on 10th August night barging into several houses.

Since the residents this time remained vigilant they raised an alarm. As locals came out to catch the burglars, they were shocked to find themselves caught in some strange fumes.

“They (thieves) used some poisonous gas with pungent smell leaving us coughing and sneezing, “said a local. The thieves took the advantage out of the situation and managed to escape, he added.

Scared, residents are now demanding night patrolling by police in the area that have so far seen many robberies being committed.

When contacted Ganderbal police said that no written complaint has been lodged by the local residents.

“Till now we have only have received one complaint about the bike theft from the Kurhama village. The  residents should come to us and lodge a written complaint, then we will surely take necessary action,” said Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal, Fayaz Ahmad.

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