Balangir: Thieves broke into Maa Santoshi Temple in Junani village, Nuapada district, and decamped with ornaments and cash from the donation box on Tuesday night.
The theft came to light Wednesday morning when temple priest Manmohan Shukla arrived for performing morning rituals. After discovering the break-in, Shukla immediately alerted temple’s founder Mulchand Singhal before filing a complaint with Khariar police station.
Preliminary investigation suggests the thieves used a bamboo ladder to gain access to the temple premises. The thieves broke multiple locks before fleeing with the valuables, leaving behind the ladder and a damaged donation box.
“The exact value of stolen items is yet to be calculated as the donation box hadn’t been opened for seven years,” said Tinu Singhal, Mulchand’s son, who visited the temple on Wednesday.
Sub-divisional police officer Abhisek Arup Behera said a forensic team has been deployed to gather evidence. “We have launched a thorough investigation,” he said.
Residents have demanded swift action against the thieves.