Major Temple Heist Shocks Kendrapada District
In a brazen overnight operation, burglars targeted five temples in Kendrapada district, making off with idols, gold ornaments, and cash collectively valued at approximately ₹20 lakh. The incidents occurred on Monday night in the villages of Dhola and Nalapari, leaving the local communities in a state of shock and anger.
Temples Targeted and Modus Operandi
The thieves systematically looted the Mangala, Hanuman, and Tarini temples in Dhola village, followed by the Khetrapalini and Hanuman temples in Nalapari. Their method was forceful and consistent across all locations. They broke open the front doors, damaged iron grills, and shattered locks to gain entry. Once inside, their primary target was the hundi (donation box), which they broke open to steal the cash offerings.
The crimes went unnoticed until Tuesday morning, when the priests of the respective temples arrived for daily rituals and discovered the devastation. The priests immediately alerted the temple committees, who subsequently filed formal reports with the police.
Police Investigation and Insider Angle
The Nikirai police station has registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Padmalaya Pradhan, the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Nikirai police station, confirmed the details and stated that a special investigation team has been formed.
"We are interrogating a section of the temple priests and locals, and we do not rule out 'insider' involvement," IIC Pradhan revealed, indicating that the investigation is exploring the possibility of internal collocation. He added that the police are also scouring available CCTV footage from the vicinity for crucial clues to identify and apprehend the culprits.
Public Outrage and Context of Previous Crimes
News of the burglaries sparked immediate public outrage. A large crowd gathered at the affected temples, demanding swift and decisive action from the authorities to catch the thieves and recover the stolen items, many of which hold significant religious and sentimental value.
This incident is not isolated in the region. Just last month, police in neighboring Jajpur district arrested four members of an idol theft gang. Furthermore, two months ago, six individuals were caught for a burglary at the Maa Durga Temple in Pankapala village, Jagatsinghpur district. This pattern suggests organized criminal activity targeting places of worship in coastal Odisha.
The police investigation is ongoing, with pressure mounting from the community for a breakthrough in the case.
