Salem: A gang of burglars assaulted a security guard and made away with around 550kg of silver anklets and other silver articles worth nearly ₹14 crore from a silver manufacturing unit near the Salem new bus stand in the early hours of Monday.Police said the incident took place at a workshop owned by M Balasubramaniam, of Chinneri Vayakadu, who manufactures silver anklets and other silver ornaments for supply to jewellery shops. He also markets anklets in several states across the country. With Diwali approaching, the unit had been operating at full capacity for more than a month to meet the surge in orders from retailers.Following a complaint from Balasubramaniam, Pallapatti police registered a case and began investigations. The complainant stated that nearly 550kg of silver anklets and other silver articles had been stolen, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹14 crore.Preliminary investigation found that the burglars had damaged the CCTV cameras installed on the premises before carrying out the burglary. “The four-member gang attacked the security guard who was on duty outside the workshop, tied his hands and gained entry into the premises before making away with the silver stock,” AG Babu, commissioner of Salem city police told TOI, after visiting the workshop and inspecting the scene. He added that four special teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the burglars.Meanwhile, the injured security guard is undergoing treatment at a hospital. Police officials also questioned him as part of the investigation.
