Several temples across Odisha are now gearing up to welcome Goddess Durga and special rituals have also begun from Navratri. Amidst this, thieves managed to decamp with valuables from two temples under Balipatna police limits in Bhubaneswar on Friday night.
As per initial reports, the thieves have allegedly looted gold and silver ornaments, idols and other valuables from Beleswar and Duladevi temple under Baliapatna police limits in Khordha district. The local residents managed to nab a thief; later, they handed over to police while another burglar managed to escape.
Banidhar Panda, priest of both the temple said, “Today morning, I saw that several silver and gold ornaments, idols and other valuables have been stolen by cutting the grill locks. The thieves also tried to break open the donation box but failed in their attempt.”
Ramesh Chandra Sahu, a local resident said, “Special Sola puja is being performed here at the temple. This is a complete failure of police patrolling in the area. Though the area comes under Commissionerate Police, no focus is given on security measures.”
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Sahu said that one of the thieves was captured by local residents who then handed him over to the police. “We demand a proper investigation and concrete measures so that such incidents do not recur, “Sahu added.
Meanwhile, no comments could be obtained from senior police officials of the Commissionerate Police in connection with the twin incidents of thefts at the temples.