Precious idol stolen from Jharkhand temple
By IANSFriday, July 2, 2010
RANCHI - A three-century-old idol of goddess Chhinmastika was stolen from Rajrappa temple of Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district Friday, police said.
According to police, the idol, made of precious stones was missing when the priests opened the temple at 4 a.m. Friday to perform Aarti (prayers).
“The priest had closed the temple at 10 p.m. Thursday night. So, the idol must have been stolen between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. We will soon catch the culprit,” said Hemant Toppo, Superintendent of Police of Ramgarh district.
Thousands of devotees visit the temple to offer prayers everyday. A deep resentment is prevailing among them.
Senior government and police officials reached the temple to take stock of the situation. A Forensic team and dog squad have also reached the spot.
Jharkhand borders joining states like West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Chattisgarh have been sealed.
“We condemn the incident, there could be foreign hand behind it,” Jharkhand Assembly speaker C.P. Singh said.
