An armed dacoity occurred at the Jagannath temple in Gosaninuagaon area of the city on Tuesday night.
The armed miscreants also attacked two persons, including the guard of temple. They managed to escape with eight kg silver ornaments and 13 tolas of gold ornaments as well brass ornaments of the deities used during Rathyatra. This armed dacoity stunned the residents of the city as this temple happens to be the largest Jagannath temple in Berhampur.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, southern range, Amitabh Thakur and Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Anirudh Singh also reached the spot to make an on the spot enquiry regarding this armed dacoity. With the help of a scientific team investigation has been started to nab the culprits, who were four in number.
Speaking to newsmen, Mr Thakur said police formed a special squad to investigate this case.
According to him some major clues had been found and the culprits would be nabbed soon.
This dacoity occurred at around 1.30 am on Tuesday night.
At that time the temple premises was not totally deserted as ‘sankirtan’ continues on its premises round the clock. Three persons were continuing the kirtan. The guard of the temple who resides on the premises was in the upper floor.
As per eye witnesses, four miscreants armed with sharp weapons had entered the temple. All of them were wearing masks to avoid identification. First they used their weapons to threaten the three persons doing kirtan. When the guard came down, they attacked him. One of the persons involved in kirtan was also attacked.
Then the four dacoits broke open the lock of the store room of the temple and searched for the valuables. They gathered up whatever they found and escaped from the spot.
It may be noted that this temple is located in a residential area with Gosaninuagaon police station a few hundred metres away.
