Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, May 13: Unknown thieves broke open the lock of Poonja Goddess Durgaparameshwari Temple located in Arambody village near Venoor in the taluk on the night of Wednesday May 11, and took away cash and ornaments worth Rs 70,000. It is guessed that the theft took place in the wee hours on Thursday, as some puja organized on Wednesday had concluded at around midnight.

The thieves cut open the bolt of the sanctum sanctorum by using a hacksaw. Gold and silver ornaments like crown of the deity, belt, necklaces, etc, have gone missing. Cash of Rs 300, collected from devotees for the day’s services, has also been taken away.

On a complaint filed by Ramachandra Acharya, managing trustee of the temple, a case was registered by Venoor police.  Beltangady circle inspector of police, Sudarshan, Venoor station house officer, Umesh, and Punjalkatte station house officer, Madhava Koodlu, visited the temple along with other personnel. Sniffer dogs were summoned from Mangalore, and Puttur assistant superintendent of police, Dr Rohini Katoch, guided the operations.

It is gathered that in all the earlier three cases of thefts in this temple, the thieves were captured within three days to two weeks. A large number of people from nearby villages gathered at the temple premises on Thursday, after coming to know of the incident.