Puri: A man was held for allegedly sending messages to a priest of Balunkeswar temple in Sakhigopal area in Puri district and threatening to bomb the holy place on Monday.
The servitor reportedly received an anonymous message on Saturday demanding a ransom of Rs 50 lakh via PhonePe. As news of the message spread, an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty gripped the area.
According to sources, the miscreant has warned that the temple at Baral under Satyabadi police limits will be bombed two days later, unless Rs 50 lakh is paid in extortion.
“A man called, trying to speak in a feminine voice, asking me to check my messages. The texts said we will bomb the temple and the idol,” the priest told a local news channel.
The message reads, “The temple will be bombed on Monday. If you want to live, then send 50 lakh rupees. 7** is my number. I am Damayanti Pani. My house is at Antei Pailo, I am from Kendrapada.” The mobile number from which the message was sent, and the number on which the amount demanded to be transferred, are different, sources said.
“We have informed authorities about this incident. A man named Pratik Mishra has been held. We have been told he has similar cases at other police stations,” executive officer at Barala Balunkeshwardeb Trust board, Laxmidhar Panda told a local news channel.
