Puri: Frequent incidents of burglary on Srimandir premises here have raised a question on security arrangements at the 12th century shrine.
Though Odisha police, Jagannath Temple Police Service (JTPS) and members of a special squad are guarding Srimandir round the clock, at least two incidents of burglary have been reported from the shrine premises recently.
According to sources, some miscreants stole around Rs 1 lakh from an office of Suar-Mahasuar Niyog near Koili Baikuntha on Sriamandir premises Wednesday night.
It is learnt that the miscreants entered into the office building by making a hole on the wall. They stole the money after breaking open a locker at the office.
Singhadwar police have registered a case in this regard. Puri district superintendent of police Umashankar Dash and Singhadwar police in-charge Shraban Kumar Maharana visited the spot and began a probe. A scientific team was also pressed into service.
Police examined the CCTV footage and claimed that a minor boy had stolen money from the Suar and Mahasuar Niyog office. “From the CCTV footage, we came to know that a minor boy had entered into the office by making a hole on the wall and decamped with the money,” said a police officer.
However, social activists and intellectuals refused to buy the police version. They suspected the involvement of a racket in the burglary case.
“How could a minor boy enter into Srimandir premises at night and steal money? We suspect the involvement a racket in the incident. Police should do a proper investigation into the incident,” said a social activist.
Notably, some miscreants had stolen money from a donation box at Ram Mandir on Srimandir premises on the night of April 1. They had also vandalised a marble idol of Lord Krishna. Police had registered a case but they are yet to arrest anyone in connection with the incident.
Srimandir Managing Committee member Anant Tiadi expressed concern over the two incidents and alleged that the police have failed to arrange proper security at the shrine.