Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 15 MAY: The gold ornaments of the famous Siddheswari Kali idol in Krishnagar, Nadia have been stolen triggering furore among locals and devotees. The ornaments were found missing this morning when the head priest came to the temple for offering puja.
The Inspector-in-charge of Kotwali police station, Raktim Chatterjee who is the member along with SDO (Sadar) and an advocate of the Temple committee said the thief entered inside the temple from the ‘Garva Griha’ (entrance from the backside of the idol). “The thief has stolen gold ‘bel patra’, tiklis and tips. The thief however did not loot silver or gold-plated ornaments. We have initiated a probe into this matter,” Mr Chatterjee said.
Revered by devotees as one of the temples of the existing two such temples in India (another one is situated in Midnapore town in West Midnapore), Siddheswari Kali Temple attracts a huge number of devotees.
The priest immediately raised an alarm. By then, shopkeepers selling flowers and sweets offered to the deity had also arrived. Some devotees also turned up. The Kotwali police was also informed and they reached the temple soon. Police suspect that the theft was committed by a local gang, which had extensive knowledge of the temple. The temple authorities have been asked to submit a list of valuables stolen.
The investigating police officials also collected CC cameras footages. Police also interrogated two security guards deployed from the police station and the night guard deployed by the temple committee.
Local residents raised question that how theft was committed even in presence of three security guards.
Investigating police officers said, “The temple committee has set up CC cameras, but they put off the cameras every night from 10 pm and put on the cameras every mornings. So, it is very tough to get any clues from CC cameras footages.”
Images by Rajat Sen.
