Kanpur: What kind of a theft! We have known about mango stealing, but lemon looting is unique. Was it occurring due to the cause of soaring prices? Lemon thieves are at it in Shahjahanpur. Now, they have struck in Kanpur.
According to the news, the thieves have taken away 15,000 lemons weighing 750 kg or 7.5 quintals from orchards in the past four days from Kanpur.
Keepers are reportedly maintaining a record of each single lemon. As many as 15,000 lemons have been stolen from various orchards in Ganga Katri," said one lemon grower C. Nishad in this belt.
Lathi-wielding guards are being hired to keep the crop safe. As told by growers that guards are being hired to safeguard the produce. Daily expense on protecting the lemons come at Rs five hundred, as told. The guards keep patrol round the clock.
Police have also been approached by the growers. An FIR was also against unidentified persons who have stolen 2000 lemons in three days in an area here.
According to an estimate, the lemons are grown in about 2000 bigha of land in Chaubeypur, Bithoor, Pariyar, Katri and Mandhana areas, revealed Rajendra Pal, the keeper of an orchard in Bithoor Katri.
Nishad grows lemons on three bighas of land. During a daily count, the keeper found 2000 lemons had been stolen, he said adding that police have told that they are investigating after the registration of FIR.
Bithoor police confirmed of two such complaints from the farmers. Even a sub-inspector was sent to these orchards. Police are looking into the matter.
If we look at the retail price of just one lemon it was sold at Rs 10 at the Phoolbagh vegetable market, as vendors tell.
Earlier, thieves allegedly fled with 60kg lemons, 40kg onions and 38kg garlic from a warehouse under the Tilhar police station in Shajahanpur district.
