Police said unidentified persons vandalized a Hanuman temple in Shillong’s Jarikhana area in the early hours of Sunday, stealing idols, ornaments and cash after trying to destroy the evidence, alarming residents and local authorities.
How did they enter the temple?
The incident took place around 1 am under the jurisdiction of Lumdingri Police Station. According to the FIR filed by Ravi Sharma, the accused opened a side entrance to access Hanuman Mandir. Once inside, they ransacked the building for valuables, damaged doors and storage areas, and left behind signs of forced entry and scattered possessions.
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All that was looted?
Police said the thieves stole idols of Lord Krishna and Radha, as well as a smaller statue of Lord Hanuman. They also took silver ornaments and many copper ritual paraphernalia, including water vessels, lamps, and plates. An undisclosed amount of cash was removed from the temple’s donation box. However, the main statue inside the shrine remained untouched, and the theft was later discovered by temple authorities during routine morning prayers.
Attempting to destroy evidence
In an apparent attempt to cover their tracks, the miscreants allegedly set fire to CCTV cameras installed inside and outside the temple before fleeing the spot. Despite this, surveillance cameras from nearby homes reportedly captured images of the suspects escaping. These recordings were submitted to the police as part of the complaint.
Local concern and investigation ongoing
The incident has alarmed residents of Jarikhana and neighboring Jhalupara, with many questioning the security arrangements and night patrolling in the crowded area. The police registered a case, opened an investigation, examined the available footage, and established the identity of those involved, while increasing patrols and reassuring residents of strengthening security measures to prevent such incidents.
(with PTI inputs)
