Odisha Crime: Police in Odisha’s Jajpur have claimed to have busted an inter-state idol smuggling gang with the arrest of four persons. Police told on Friday that three of the arrested people are from Uttar Pradesh, while one is from Balasore district of Odisha. Jajpur Superintendent of Police Vineet Agarwal said on Friday that after raiding various places, a total of 31 priceless idols stolen from various temples in Jajpur district were recovered from the gang. He said that a gun, ammunition, mobile phones, several tools and a motorcycle were also recovered from the accused. Efforts are on to nab other people associated with the gang.
God’s idols were stolen from the temple
Police said that the miscreants had stolen the idols of Lord Krishna, Narasimha and Ram Lakshmana and Goddess Sita from a temple in Hirapur village under Dashrathpur mandal of Jajpur district a few days back. Apart from this, they also took away the gold and silver ornaments of the deities. According to the local people, the cost of the stolen idols and jewelery would be around one crore rupees.
gang mastermind absconding
Superintendent of Police Vineet Agarwal said a special team was formed to nab the gang members after precious idols were stolen from various temples in the district in recent months. He said that on the basis of an intelligence, we conducted raids at various places and nabbed four members of the gang and others are on the lookout.
The mastermind of the gang is absconding. It is an inter-state gang involved in stealing idols. All the idols stolen from Raghunathji temple in Hirapur and Krishna Chandrapur temple have been recovered from them. Apart from this, his involvement in the theft in Siddha Baladevji temple has also come to light. Police suspect that this gang is also involved in idol theft cases in other districts of the state.
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