By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 9: Brazen thieves neutralised security cameras by fire before looting the Hanuman Mandir in Garikhana early Friday morning, decamping with several idols, silver ornaments, and cash.
The incident, which occurred around 1 AM within the jurisdiction of Lumdiengjri Police Station, has raised serious concerns regarding night patrolling in the sensitive, high-traffic locality. According to an FIR filed by Ravi Sharma, the perpetrators gained entry by breaking open a side entrance to the temple.
The thieves ransacked the premises, stealing idols of Lord Krishna and Radha, a small idol of Lord Hanuman, and various brass ritual items, including water pots, lamps, and plates. While the temple’s main idol remained untouched, the miscreants made off with four silver ornaments and an undisclosed amount of cash from the donation box.
In a move suggesting a planned hit rather than petty theft, the intruders burned the CCTV cameras installed both inside and outside the temple to destroy evidence. However, security footage from neighboring houses reportedly captured the suspects fleeing the scene. This footage has been submitted to the police on a pen drive along with the formal complaint.
The calculated destruction of the surveillance system has sparked anxiety among residents of Garikhana and nearby Jhalupara, who view the incident as a significant security lapse. Police are currently investigating the matter.
