Temple burgled in Kuttanad; idols stolen

ALAPPUZHA: In a highly sophisticated burglary, the 100-year-old panchaloha idols worth Rs 1 crore were stolen from Eera Kuttummel Devi temple in Nilamperoor panchayat in Kuttanad on Saturday night, without leaving any trace of the modus operandi.

The stolen articles included panchaloha Devi idol worth Rs 60 lakh, siveli bimbam worth Rs 25 lakh, silver thirumugham worth Rs 10 lakh and prabhamandalam worth Rs 10 lakh.

The incident came to light when the melsanti of the NSS Karayogam-controlled temple opened the sanctum sanctorum on Sunday morning.

Though a heavy posse of police and the dog squad searched the temple premises, they got no vital clues regarding the modus operandi of the thieves.

TEMPLE SQUAD TO PROBE BURGLARY: Alappuzha SP E J Jayaraj said that Special Police Team (Temple Squad) DySP C J Thomas will probe the burglary.

NSS general secretary P K Narayana Panicker, Kuttanad MLA Thomas Chandy and Alappuzha SP E J Jayaraj visited the spot.