Criminal gangs attacking lone pilgrims who come to the town of Palani has become very common.

Recently, Mr. A. Balan(77) of Ernakulam was attacked by a two-member gang, robbed of Rs. 1500 and was left grvely injured on the Palani-Dindigul railway track.

The morning walkers — one among them a doctor — spotted him and rushed him to the Palani Government Hospital after administering him first aid.

According to police, two persons who posed as pilgrims walked along with Balan from the hill temple to the plains and started friendly conversation with him. They told him that there was another important temple just a few km away from the town and promised to take him on their motor bike.

Balan agreed to go with them. But when the duo on the way to the “other temple” deviated from the Dindigul-Palani Highway, Balan sensed danger and cried for help. Suddenly, the duo attacked him with a sickle on his head, robbed him and left a seriously injured Balan on the railway track.

This is not the first incident of its kind. Many other state tourists, especially those from Kerala, had met a similar fate. About two weeks back, three bodies were removed from Vyapuri tank, Varattaru and on the way to Shanmuga River. With none to claim bodies, the police too closed the cases.

Temple sources said lone male pilgrims were the prime targets of these gangs. They would keenly watch the lone pilgrims from railway station or bus stand to the hill temple.

They would go to the hill temple along with him, and on their way back, develop friendly conversation with them. Later, they would take them to lonely places and rob them, they noted.

Many pilgrims lost their lives as well. Bodies were thrown in Vyapuri tank, thorny bushes near rope car area and also down the slopes of hill. With the launch of train service recently, the criminals started throwing the injured victims on railway track to make them look like accidents.