QUEPEM
Taking advantage of non-functional CCTV cameras in the temple premises, burglars decamped with the brass statue of Lord Hanuman valued at about Rs 25,000 after breaking two locks of the main door of the Maruti temple at Curchorem, popularly known as ‘Maruti Gad'.
This is for the second time in 10 months that the temple has been burgled.
According to temple attorney Ravindra Nagvekar, the burglary came to light on Friday at about 6.30 am when the temple priest went to open the temple.
"The priest informed Curchorem Police and the temple committee. The priest confirmed that he had closed the temple door on Thursday at 6.30 pm and went again at about 7.30 pm when a truck unloaded sand outside the temple, but did not open the temple," said Nagvekar.
Nagvekar said the main door locks of the temple
were found broken on Friday morning and the statue of Lord Hanuman was found missing.
"No other items from the temple were missing and the donation box was intact," said Nagvekar.
Curchorem Police team led by PSI Arun conducted panchanama and police pressed a dog squad and fingerprint experts into service.
PSI Arun said burglary case was being registered and there are no suspects as of now, but the investigation is in progress.
It may be recalled that the temple area, the peak of a hillock popularly known as Maruti Gad is situated at a lonely place and the temple is closed at 6.30 pm every day and opened at 6.30 am the next day.
There are no security arrangements at the temple, making it a perfect target of the burglars. The temple was earlier burgled in March 2017.
