Why suspected ‘Kuruva’ gang is keeping two districts in Kerala on tenterhooks Premium

A detailed account of the police pursuit of the notorious 'Kuruva gang' involved in multiple thefts in Kerala.

When a few botched theft attempts were reported within the Mannanchery police station limits in Alappuzha district in Kerala on the night of October 29, 2024, it hardly raised an eyebrow.

They were counted among many such attempts reported within any police district on any given day. But in the days since, a few more similar attempts were reported in Alappuzha.

Then on November 13, two successive break-ins were reported in as many households at Mannanchery. While gold jewellery worth three-and-a-half sovereigns were stolen from one house, the jewellery stolen from the other household turned out to be imitation.

The sequence of events and the modus operandi gave rise to suspicions about the involvement of the notorious ‘Kuruva gang,’ a group of burglars, hailing mostly from Tamil Nadu. Soon, CCTV images of two half-naked men with their faces covered and their bodies seemingly oiled and blackened emerged further giving credence to the suspicions. Following this, the Alappuzha police launched a manhunt.

According to Alappuzha Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) M.R. Madhu Babu, the gang is known for its meticulous planning.

“The members scout potential targets during the day and strike at night, primarily focusing on poorly secured houses that allow for quick entry and exit. They operate in groups of 12 to 14 members, split into smaller teams to carry out their heists,” Mr. Babu said.

The gang employs distinct tactics to avoid detection. “Members often travel on motorbikes, which they park in isolated, overgrown areas near their targets. After hiding their vehicles, they alter their appearance by removing their shirts, applying oil on their bodies, and covering their faces to minimise the risk of identification. They use sharp tools to break into houses and wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints,” said an official.