Siwan: Four idols stolen from a Shiva temple in Patauwa-Kharkharia village under Guthani police station area on Tuesday night were recovered from a roadside bush in the Chanwar area of Lebhari village under Mairwa police station on Wednesday.
The idols had reportedly been hidden in bushes along the roadside. Police recovered all four idols and handed them over to the temple priest.
Idols Found Missing on Wednesday Morning
According to information, temple priest Jitendra Mishra left for his home in Mishrachhapra after performing prayers at the temple late Tuesday evening.
Taking advantage of the fact that nobody stayed at the temple at night, thieves allegedly broke and removed four idols made of valuable stone from their installed places.
When the priest and villagers reached the temple on Wednesday morning, they found the idols missing. The villagers then informed Guthani police station in-charge Sunil Kumar.
The station in-charge immediately reached the temple with a police team and began investigating the incident. Villagers also started searching for the stolen idols on their own.
Villagers Spot Idols Hidden in Bushes
During the search, villagers spotted the stolen idols hidden in bushes beside the road in the Chanwar area of Lebhari village under Mairwa police station.
They immediately informed the police. Station in-charge Sunil Kumar reached the spot and, with the help of villagers, recovered all four idols.
The recovered idols include those of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati and Radha-Krishna.
Police Searching for the Thieves
Villagers believe the thieves may have taken considerable time to break the idols away from their original positions. They suspect the thieves may have hidden the idols in the bushes after fearing that daylight was approaching, planning to return later and take them away.
Police, however, suspect that the thieves may have abandoned the idols in the bushes and fled after noticing police activity.
The temple theft has caused concern and anger among local residents. Police are now investigating the case to identify those involved and make arrests.
