Shimla, August 18: Antique ashtdhatu idols, valued at several crores in the international market were stolen from the ancient temple of Shirgul deity in the Nerwa area of Chopal district, last night.
According to the police, it was in the wee hours today when the priest came to perform the morning puja, he saw that the locks on the main door of the temple were broken and all the items lay scattered. He immediately informed the locals who intimated the police. The police said four ashtdhatu idols were reportedly missing.
The temple of Shirgul deity is located in Ward 5 of Nerwa in the Chopal area of Shimla district. The police have summoned forensic experts and efforts are on to get the sketches of culprits made on the basis of CCTV grab. There have been several temple thefts in Shimla district in the recent years. Despite the installation of the close circuit cameras and other security measures being taken as a protection against theft, several such incidents are still taking place.
Valuable idols have been stolen from Satka, Pabbas and Lakkarbir temples but so far there is no clue of these priceless idols of various deities.The police team, led by Dharam Singh Thakur, SHO, Chopal, is investigating the case to nab the culprits and recover the idols.
Sourced from tribuneindia.com
