Kochi, Sep 18 (PTI) An armed gang of five men allegedly barged into a house in Palarivattom here, held seven interstate migrant workers, including three women, hostage and stripped them before robbing valuables worth over Rs 6.05 lakh, police said on Friday.
The incident occurred between 12.30 am and 1.15 am on Thursday at a house near Samskara Junction where seven workers, including four men and three women from Assam and West Bengal, were staying together, police said.
According to the FIR registered at Palarivattom police station, the five men, armed with weapons, broke into the house, bolted the doors from inside and held the residents at knifepoint.
The gang allegedly assaulted the victims and threatened to kill them.
One of the male workers was allegedly forced to disclose his online banking credentials, following which the assailants made two unauthorised digital transactions totalling Rs 12,000, police said.
During the search for valuables, the gang allegedly stripped the migrant workers, including women, police said.
The assailants allegedly stole a gold chain valued at Rs 1.2 lakh and a pair of gold ear studs worth Rs 60,000.
They also allegedly took Rs 1.2 lakh in cash, 10 mobile phones valued at Rs 3.05 lakh, purses, ATM cards and personal identification documents, police said.
A case was regietered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to dacoity, armed trespass and assault.
Preliminary investigation has indicated that the gang comprised four local men and a Hindi-speaking person.
At least one of the suspects was known to the victims, police said.
Police have recovered CCTV camera footage in which the accused persons could be seen near the house of migrant workers, officials said.
A search is underway to trace and arrest the suspects, police added. PTI TBA TBA ROH
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