Police are currently investigating a reported act of sacrilege following a break-in at the Vuniniudrovo Ram Krishna Hanuman Mandir in Sawani. The incident resulted in thieves stealing cash, a television set, a standing fan, and vital components of the temple’s CCTV system, raising security concerns within the community.
Temple president Salesh Karan indicated that the theft appears to have been premeditated, particularly noting the theft of the CCTV camera decoder. “The biggest loss is the camera decoder. The rest of the system can be reconnected, but without that decoder, we’ve lost critical footage,” Karan explained.
In response to the incident, Karan expressed intentions to reinstall and upgrade the temple’s security system, although he emphasized worries regarding the safety of the new equipment, given the likelihood of being targeted again. He mentioned, “We may have to increase security and even have people come and sit at the temple in the evenings.”
Community members had reportedly observed suspicious activity in the days leading up to the break-in, adding to Karan’s concerns. He noted that they had seen cars slowing down near the temple, which suggested a level of planning for the theft. “Just two nights ago, a car stopped outside at night. This looks like planning,” Karan remarked.
Despite the setback, Karan remains hopeful that remaining footage from other cameras could be useful for police investigations. He pledged any available evidence to aid law enforcement efforts in identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the crime.
Karan also highlighted a troubling trend of increasing targeted incidents across the nation, calling for heightened vigilance and a stronger police presence during nighttime. “Almost every month we hear of one, two, even three such cases around the country. At night, especially after 11pm, there are people roaming around,” he stated, urging police to be more proactive.
In his appeal to local residents, Karan encouraged community members to watch over one another and report any suspicious behaviors. “My request to neighbours is to keep an eye on what’s happening around you. It’s not just temples — even houses are being targeted,” he warned, urging action against the rising crime rate.
The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of communal vigilance and the need for robust security measures in ensuring the safety of places of worship and residential areas alike.