Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh): Alipiri police on Monday arrested at least seven treasure hunters while they were digging an 80-feet tunnel in Seshachalam forest here. The accused had been digging the tunnel for the last one-and-a-half years.
Based on suspicious movements of some people in the Mangalam area, the police detained and questioned them. It was only then the incident came to light. Based on the information provided by the detained persons, the police reached the tunnel, located about 6 km away from Mangalam, and caught the other treasure hunters.
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Mankunayudu, a painter from Anakapalle, had moved to Tirupati in 2014. Here, he met a self-styled guruji, Ramaswamy from Nellore, who convinced him that there was a secret treasure at the bottom of the Tirumala Hills. The guruji had told Mankunayudu that he had learnt about the secret treasure through some ancient copper inscriptions. Since then, Mankunayudu had been digging the tunnel with six other people in search of the treasure.
Rangaswamy died six months ago. However, Mankunayudu continued his treasure hunt. Police said, in addition to the 80-feet tunnel, the accused also dug another 40-feet-deep tunnel to store the treasure.
Alipiri CI Devendra Kumar, who arrested the accused, said further investigation was underway.
