Stolen panchaloha idols from Udupi temple recovered hours after theft
Udupi (Karnataka), Mar 13 (PTI): Panchaloha idols stolen from the Sri Rama Temple in Udupi district were recovered near a riverbank just hours after the theft, police said on Thursday.
Unidentified miscreants broke into the temple late Tuesday night and made away with sacred idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, along with the temple's donation box, police said.
However, the stolen items were mysteriously abandoned near a riverside, leading to their swift recovery, police added.
The burglary came to light early Wednesday morning when temple staff arrived for daily rituals and discovered the break-in. The police were immediately alerted, and an investigation was launched, police said.
A tracker dog squad traced the thieves’ movements to a riverside nearly 600 meters from the temple, where an ornament was found.
Expert divers were then deployed, leading to the recovery of the idols and the donation box from the water, a senior police officer said.
The investigation is ongoing, with efforts underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the break-in, police said.
A case has been registered at Kota Police Station, and further investigations are in progress, they added.
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Tension in Koppal village over Ambedkar flag during fair; five arrested
Koppal: Tension prevailed in Halwarti village of Koppal taluk after a clash reportedly broke out between members of Dalit and upper-caste communities over the hoisting of an Ambedkar flag during the Beeralingeshwara fair.
According to police, a verbal argument between youths from the two communities escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to unrest in the village.
In a related development, it has been alleged that members of the upper-caste community entered the house of a Dalit youth, identified as Gavisiddappa Hosamani, damaged the door and vandalised the front portion of the house.
As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.
Police said a complaint has been registered at the Koppal Rural Police Station and five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way.
