Ganjam, (OT Webdesk) – July 6, 2025: In a brazen act of theft, unidentified miscreants targeted the Maa Dal Khai Temple in Sanaghati village, Ganjam district, late on July 5.
The temple, located near the bustling National Highway-16, witnessed the forced removal of two donation boxes by intruders under the cover of night.
In a calculated move, the perpetrators reportedly locked the priest inside his home before breaking into the temple premises.
The stolen hundis had not been opened in several days, with estimates suggesting over Rs 1 lakh in accumulated offerings may have been looted.
Crucially, CCTV cameras installed on the temple premises captured the entire sequence of events.
Authorities from Rambha Police Station have launched an investigation and are analysing the footage to identify those involved.
The incident has triggered widespread concern among locals, prompting renewed demands for heightened security measures at religious sites, especially those situated near highways.
Residents are urging authorities to implement enhanced patrolling, improved lighting, and robust surveillance systems to deter future incidents.
