Nedumkandam: Abandoned sandalwood logs were found in an unused well on the residential premises of Maruthummoottil Ansari in Swargam Medu. 

19 sandalwood trees were reportedly stolen from the cardamom farms in Balanpilla City last week. Following the theft, the owners Pallattu Rahul and his sister Rakhimol lodged complaint at Nedumkandam police station and Kallar section office of the forest department. 

Within the last two months, several similar cases of sandalwood theft have been reported from the region. Two months back, a sandalwood tree was chopped and robbed from the same site while three trees went missing from the nearby plot later. The locals alleged that the forest department did not arrive for inspection even after they informed the sandalwood tree theft. 

The forest department inferred that the robbery was being conducted by a gang from outside the state as this region lies near the borders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Police have initiated a probe in the case and the forest department informed that night patrolling will be strengthened in the area.