Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Feb 26: Thefts that have occurred in 2015 at several temples of undivided Dakshina Kannada district have continued to be a challenge for the police even after five years. There were thefts in Aloor temple on Feb 21, 2020 and at Laxmi Janardhan temple, Badakere at night on February 25 who are yet to be traced.

Thieves had decamped with silver articles worth Rs ten thousand, Rs 50 thousand cash and CC Camera from Badakere Laxmi Janardhan temple. Byndoor PSI Sangeetha, staff, dog squad and forensic experts have visited the spot of thefts.

Another theft had taken place at Mahalingeshwara temple, near Aloor on February 21. There was yet another theft on the next day at Aloor Marigudi. Thefts are occurring without fear and people live in fear.

Police personnel who woke up after two thefts in Aloor temples, held a meeting of all the temple heads in Kundapur sub division area and directed to be alert. But thefts had occurred again at Badakere temple. Thieves can be seen stealing after preparing temple sketches.

Five year old memories

Thieves have been concentrating on temples since July 2015. There were two thefts in Soukoor temple. Lacs worth valuables and cash were missing. There was theft at Katkere Kalikamba temple also. There were serial thefts at Kalthodu, Kirimanjeshwar, Vandse, Thenkoor, Murooru and Malyadi but thieves continued to be at large.

Thieves had entered Soukoor temple twice. There was no news about the thefts in this temple which is under the control of the government. Katkere Kalikamba temple is a historic temple. Jewelry and cash were stolen from here too. But the thefts have remained a mystery. The theft at Thirumala Laxmivenkataramana temple, Vandse was large. Thieves broke the door of Garbha Gudi and decamped with the face cover of the deity and cash. Thefts have occurred within a few months’ gap in the temples. But none of the cases are cracked.

It is said interstate thieves are involved in the thefts. The support from local people for the thefts cannot be false. Many thefts were similar. Thieves had targeted temples that are away from human habitat.

Though thefts were less during later years, they were occurring one in a while. Thieves continued to escape. But the serial thefts in February have taken place in three different temples within a week. One of the thefts is different as the thieves have taken away the CC TV camera of Badakere temple. Thieves have become a challenge for the police department.