Malda, 3 October (H.S.):

In a shocking incident during Durga Puja celebrations, two civic volunteers and a local resident were detained on charges of stealing gold ornaments worth nearly ₹3 lakh from a Durga idol in Malda district. The incident occurred late on Ashtami night at a temple in the Ekhlakhi-linked Gandhi More area of Gazole, triggering outrage among locals and devotees.

According to reports, the theft came to light on Navami morning when members of the puja committee noticed that ornaments adorning the idol’s feet were missing. CCTV footage later revealed two civic volunteers and one local resident entering the temple premises and allegedly taking away the ornaments.

Pranab Saha, a member of the puja committee, said: “When the priest noticed the ornaments missing, he immediately informed us. Since the Navami rituals were about to begin, we asked him to continue the puja while we checked the CCTV footage. The footage clearly showed two civic volunteers and a local youth removing the ornaments. We have been organizing this puja since 1991, and such an incident has never happened before.”

Following a written complaint by the puja committee, police took the suspects into custody. However, the stolen ornaments have not yet been recovered. Interrogation of the accused is underway, and police have launched a full investigation into the matter.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh