"pickpockets"

Several devotees who had participated in the procession made complaints regarding theft of their wallets, wrist watches and mobile phones

The arrested are Upadi Bolenath (42), Abdul Mannan (29), Mohammed Khadeer (26), Kamble Sikander (50) and Uppada Sunil (28), all residents of Afzalsagar in Mallepally.

The woman, Mallikarjuna Rani (40), a resident of Kuchanpally in Havelighanpur Mandal, reached the bus station in an auto with the gold chain in a bag.

The police caught and interrogated the accused who got down at Khammam railway station and were roaming around Khammam bus stand in a suspicious manner on Friday.

The incident came to light after a video clip of the pickpockets flicking wallets and mobile phones from people who were attending the funeral procession went viral on social media.