Puri: Simhadwara Police have begun an investigation into the loot of cash from the hundi (donation box) kept inside the Ram temple on the south gate of Jagannath temple late on Monday night.
Preliminary investigation on Tuesday morning reveals that criminals entered the temple by cutting a barbed wire and grill and tried to steal idols of Lord Ram, Lord Laxman and Goddess Sita as well as the Astadhatu idol. They also searched for ornaments of these idols. After failing in their attempt, they took away the brass idol of Lord Krishna and the Salagrama and cash from the hundi inside the temple by breaking it open.
Police has examined footage of CCTV installed inside the temple to identify the criminals.
The incident has raised a question mark on security arrangement in and outside the temple premises.
