Post News Network
Kendrapara, Dec 24: Bike-borne miscreants decamped with gold and silver ornaments, including the donation box and attire of the deity worth Rs 20 lakh, late Tuesday night from the Ramachandi temple at Ramnagar village under Mahakalpara police limits, police said Wednesday.
However, a patrolling van of Mahakalapara police noticed four of them fleeing at Olia Sqaure in Ortaghat following which they dropped two motorcycles, Rs 16,000 cash and some clothings of the deity before vanishing in the darkness. Police rushed to the spot and started an investigation. Later, a forensic squad and sniffer dogs were also pressed into service. A billhook, knife and crowbar were seized from the spot and sent for forensic examination.
Police said the incident occurred in midnight when as many as six bike-borne miscreants arrived outside the temple and entered in by breaking its lock and twisting its iron grills. Once in, they tied up the priest Basant Panda and helper Arabinda Behera with ropes under gunpoint. Panda and Behera were sleeping outside the sanctorum of the deity.
Later, the dacoits took the keys from them and broke open the cupboard and a chest and stole gold, silver ornaments and expensive clothings of the deity. While leaving, the miscreants also broke open the donation box (hundi) and stole all the cash inside before fleeing. Sources said the 200-year old shrine was built by erstwhile royal of Kujang during Britsih era. Mahakalapara IIC Padarbinda Tripathy said police has launched a manhunt and all the accused involved will be arrested soon.