Irked over theft, Punjab farmers ready to pay thieves via scanner

BATHINDA: Irked over the theft of motors used to draw water in fields, residents of Pakhi Kalan village in Faridkot district found a unique way to draw the attention of the police and the alleged thieves to their plight. The residents put up a banner with a fervent appeal to motor thieves.“With folded hands, we appeal not to go ahead with the theft of the motors. It is the time of paddy transplantation when motors are needed to draw water. Put up a scanner and we will deposit money in your account, because it seems there is no control of the government or the police over you,” read the banner put up by the residents.Village residents, including Simarjit Singh, said they are regularly facing thefts of motors from the village. Nearly 25 motors have been stolen in the past few months, which prompted them to make an appeal to the alleged thieves, with the aim of shaming them and also urging the police to take their complaint seriously.The unusual appeal appeared to have an effect, as police late on Thursday arrested two people who confessed to stealing several motors, including from Pakhi Kalan village. The police also recovered tools used to open motors, cables and other equipment from the arrested persons, identified as Gurpreet Singh from Araianwala Kalan village and Simranjit Singh from Sandhwan village.Kotkapura DSP Sanjeev Kumar said that “a case has been registered against the arrested persons at Kotkapura Sadar Police Station. They have confessed to involvement in theft cases in various villages across the districts of Faridkot, Moga and Muktsar, including Pakhi Kalan village.” The DSP, however, said he was not aware of any banner appeal, but added that the police arrested the duo under an action plan against anti-social elements.