Sanjeev Kumar Pradhan

Khurda: Unidentified miscreants looted ornaments worth lakhs of rupees from  Madanamohana temple in Patrapada area under Jatni police limits of Khurda district late on Saturday night.

According to reports , some miscreants allegedly looted cash, gold and silver jewellery worth lakhs of rupees after breaking open the lock of the temple late last night.

The matter came to light after the priest of the temple first witnessed the temple gates wide open in the wee hours today and informed the locals.

On receiving information, a team of Jatni police rushed to the spot and initiated an investigation into the incident.

Based on the complaint registered at the police station, the cops have initiated a probe into the incident to nab the culprits and recover the valuables, sources added.

Several incidents of theft and burglary have been reported from temples at several places across the State in last few days.

In Rayagada, miscreants looted the Astadhatu idol of the presiding deity of Manikeshwari temple at Khedapada village near Therubali late on Thursday night.

In another incident, a person was arrested yesterday after locals caught him stealing silver ornaments including a crown of goddess Bimala inside the Jagannath temple in Rayagada.

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