Football jerseys stolen from Latehar school, probe underway

PNS

Daltonganj

Unidentified miscreants allegedly broke into Adivasi Tana Bhagat Ucch Vidyalaya at Nindra under Chandwa police station limits in Jharkhand’s Latehar district and stole football jersey sets meant for the school’s boys’ and girls’ teams, officials said on Tuesday.

Headmaster Mukhdev Yadav said the theft came to light on Monday when the school reopened after the Sunday holiday. The break-in is suspected to have taken place on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. The intruders allegedly forced open the school door, entered a room and ransacked a trunk containing certificates, registers and office records, leaving documents scattered across the floor. However, only the jersey sets were reported missing.

According to Yadav, more than two sets of jerseys, each comprising 12 to 15 items including shirts and shorts, were stolen. “The jerseys are unique and easily identifiable. Anyone wearing them is likely to be recognised by students or local residents,” he said.

The school lodged a written complaint with Chandwa police on Tuesday after repairing the damaged door. The institution is known for its football tradition and was the first in the region to field a full-fledged girls’ football team.

Latehar Sadar SDPO Sandip Gupta termed the incident “senseless mischief” and said local anti-social elements are under suspicion. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.