Kochi: In a brutal early-morning robbery near Samskara Junction at Palarivattom, a five-member gang armed with lethal weapons allegedly broke into a rented residence, assaulted migrant workers from West Bengal and Assam, and stripped women occupants during a search for valuables. Valuables worth ₹6.05 lakh, including gold ornaments, cash and mobile phones, were looted in the incident that occurred in the early hours of Thursday.

Seven migrant workers, including three women, who work at various hotels across the city, were staying in the rented house. The perpetrators barged inside, threatened the occupants at knifepoint, and subjected them to physical assault.

The gang looted ₹1,20,000 in cash, 10 mobile phones valued at ₹3,05,000, identity cards and ATM cards. Under threat of violence, one of the workers was coerced into transferring ₹12,000 online to an account specified by the robbers.

According to the complaint filed with the police, the men subsequently disrobed the women present in the house. Police stated that the gang forced the women to disrobe to inspect whether they were wearing ‘aranjanam’ (waist chains) or other hidden gold ornaments. The gang robbed a gold chain valued at ₹1,20,000 and a pair of gold earrings worth ₹60,000.

The victims have been identified as Arman Ali (23), Raja Babu (26), Indejar (25) and Fizdul Haq, alongside the three women. Following a complaint lodged by Fizdul Haq, the Palarivattom police registered a case and initiated a probe.

Investigators have obtained clues regarding a repeat offender involved in the robbery. Initial police findings indicate that except for two members of the five-man gang, the remaining suspects are locals speaking Malayalam. Police also suspect that at least one member of the gang was acquainted with the workers.