June 10
Shimla:
In an unusual burglary reported from Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district, unidentified intruders allegedly broke into a government school in Shivpuri and cooked a meal using supplies meant for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme before making away with kitchen utensils and other items.
The incident came to light when school staff arrived at the premises and found signs of unauthorised entry. Upon inspection, they discovered that the intruders had entered the school’s kitchen, prepared and consumed khichdi using food grains and ingredients stored for students, and left behind used utensils and evidence of cooking.
School authorities later found several kitchen items missing. According to the complaint, the stolen articles included plates, cooking pots, a dinner set, a gas burner and a kadhai (wok), all of which were used for preparing meals under the government-sponsored nutrition programme.
The theft has raised concerns over the security of educational institutions, particularly during holiday periods when school buildings remain largely unattended. Local residents and school officials expressed surprise at the audacity of the intruders, who appeared to have spent considerable time inside the premises before carrying out the theft.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Officers are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas and gathering evidence to identify those responsible. Authorities said efforts are underway to trace the stolen property and determine how the suspects gained access to the school.
The incident has attracted attention due to its unusual nature, with investigators probing both the burglary and the circumstances surrounding the prolonged stay of the intruders inside the school campus. No arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report.
