VEHARI, Jan 27: Thieves took away jewellery and cash worth Rs8.5 million from a shop late on Friday night in Arif Bazaar, Burewala. Reports said that thieves entered the National Jewellers owned by Rana Naeem by making a way from the back wall of the shop.

With the help of gas cylinder, the thieves cut the iron safe, collected gold and silver jewellery and cash, including foreign currency, and escaped with the booty.

ASP Dr Masroor Alam Kolachi said although the entire police force was busy in the Muharram duty, the police would make every effort for the immediate arrest of the criminals.

Police were looking into the matter.

Meanwhile, the Jewellers Association has announced a strike call for an indefinite period against the rising incidents of dacoity and robbery in Burewala during the last one month.

They threatened to observe a province-wide strike if the police failed to arrest the culprits involved in theft at the jewellery shop within 24 hours.