Salem hit by Rs 13 crore silver heist as Jailer 2 fans erect cut-outs across the city
Salem was rocked by a brazen theft of 550 kg of silver worth approximately Rs 13 crore from a local shop, in one of the biggest jewellery robberies in recent memory in the city. On a lighter note, the release of Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 brought fans onto the streets in celebration, with giant cut-outs erected across Salem and fans celebrating well into the early morning hours. Meanwhile, 28 new BS6-compliant city buses were added to Salem's public transport system, while a shortage of Aavin milk forced residents to turn to private dairy suppliers.
🗳️ Thieves Rob Salem Shop of 550 Kg Silver Worth Rs 13 Crore
In one of the most audacious thefts reported in Salem in recent years, unidentified thieves made off with 550 kilograms of silver worth approximately Rs 13 crore from a local shop in the city. Deccan Chronicle described the robbery as a major crime event that sent shockwaves through Salem's commercial community, particularly among jewellers and silver traders. The sheer volume of silver stolen—more than half a tonne—pointed to a well-organised operation, raising questions about how the perpetrators were able to transport such a large quantity of metal without detection. Local police launched an investigation and the case drew wide attention across Tamil Nadu. Jewellery and bullion theft has been a recurring problem in Tamil Nadu's mid-tier cities, and the Salem incident prompted calls for improved surveillance and security in commercial districts. The Deccan Chronicle report gave the estimated value at Rs 13 crore, making it one of the larger robbery cases reported from the region in recent memory. Investigators were pursuing multiple leads in the case as of the report date. [5]
🎬 Jailer 2 Fever Grips Salem as Rajinikanth Fans Celebrate Release
The release of Jailer 2, the long-awaited sequel starring superstar Rajinikanth, triggered an outpouring of fan celebrations in Salem and across Tamil Nadu. NDTV Profit reported that the Rajinikanth frenzy extended to Dubai, where fans held screenings at 2:30 AM, while in Salem giant cut-outs of the superstar were erected ahead of and during the film's opening days. The report noted that temple prayers, firecrackers, packed theatres and special screenings marked Rajinikanth's return to the big screen in what was described as a mass celebration of Tamil cinema. Salem has historically been a stronghold for Rajinikanth's fan base, and the city's enthusiasm for Jailer 2 fit a broader pattern of southern Tamil Nadu showing exceptional devotion to the superstar. The release also coincided with a parallel controversy reported by the Times of India, noting that a revenue-sharing dispute involving Vijay's Jana Nayagan resurfaced ahead of the Jailer 2 release, reflecting the competitive landscape of Tamil film distribution. Fan clubs in Salem organised local screenings and street events to mark the occasion. [6]
🗳️ Minister Launches 28 New BS6 Buses to Boost Salem Public Transport
Salem's urban public transport received a significant boost when a minister formally inaugurated 28 new BS6-compliant buses for city service, strengthening a fleet that serves hundreds of thousands of daily commuters in the district. The Hindu reported the event, noting the significance of BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) emission norms, which represent the highest vehicular emissions standard currently in force in India. The addition of 28 new buses to Salem's city network is part of broader state government efforts to modernise Tamil Nadu's public bus services and reduce pollution from older vehicle fleets. Salem, a mid-sized industrial city in central Tamil Nadu, has seen its commuter population grow steadily in recent years, and the expansion of the bus network was welcomed by residents who had long faced overcrowding on existing routes. The inauguration ceremony was attended by local officials and civic representatives. Transport officials said the new BS6 vehicles would replace older, more polluting buses on key city routes. The move was seen as a step toward improving both air quality and commuter comfort in one of Tamil Nadu's major secondary cities. [4]
🤝 Aavin Milk Shortage in Salem Pushes Residents to Private Dairies
A shortage of Aavin milk—the state cooperative's brand widely trusted across Tamil Nadu—in Salem has forced residents to turn to private dairy suppliers to meet daily requirements, raising concerns about supply chain reliability for the government dairy cooperative. The Hindu reported the scarcity, noting that the gap in Aavin supply was significant enough to push large numbers of consumers toward the private dairy sector. Aavin, operated under the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation, is widely regarded as a quality benchmark for milk supply across the state, and disruptions to its availability tend to cause considerable public inconvenience. The shortage in Salem appeared to be a localised supply issue rather than a statewide disruption, though it underscored the city's reliance on Aavin for affordable, quality milk. Residents expressed frustration at having to pay higher prices or accept products of uncertain provenance from private suppliers. Officials had not publicly explained the cause of the shortage as of the report date. The incident highlighted the importance of maintaining robust supply chains for government-run food and dairy distribution systems, particularly in mid-sized cities like Salem. [9]
Sources: [5] Deccan Chronicle · [6] NDTV Profit · [4] The Hindu · [9] The Hindu