Burglars loot Bambolim shrine of gold items, cash

PANJIM: In an daring heist that shows that nothing is sacred or sacrosanct in the state, burglars forced their way into the Shrine of the Holy Cross (Fulancho Khuris) at Bambolim, and decamped with gold ornaments and cash from two money boxes.

According to officials, 12 gold chains and two gold rings worth Rs 8 lakh as well as cash estimated at Rs 60,000 was stolen by the thieves, in spite of the shrine having security guards. Though the shrine had two CCTV cameras, they could only capture a hooded figure carrying the money boxes from the place next to the statue of Our Lady, where they were forced open. The meticulously planned burglary suggested that the burglars had recced the site given that they knew that the ladies, who normally had their night adoration, had changed the venue to another room during the rains, a particular door could be forced open, as well as the location of the CCTV cameras.According to the shrine’s pastoral councillor Fr Alban Fernandes, the burglary came to light when the ladies came to the main shrine and noticed a plastic chair next to the statue of Our Lady and a side door left open. They immediately contacted the nuns, who are in charge of the Blessed Sacrament, who in turn called up Fr Alban.“At around 5.45 am, the ladies who do the vigil realised that there was a break-in and spoke to the nun, who then called me. I called up a police inspector who stays in Bambolim and then called the police control room,” Fr Alban told Herald.The police arrived in full force and finger print experts and a police dog squad were also pressed into service. The SDPO Serafino Dias too made his presence felt, followed by north Goa SP Priyanka Kashyap who took stock of the situation.MLA Avertano Furtado also visited the shrine on hearing the news, while reportedly on his way to the Goa assembly. News of the burglary at the Shrine of the Holy Cross, popularly known as Fulancho Khuris, at Bambolim has shocked church officials as well as devotees across the state, especially since the shrine has been popular among people of all faiths and communities.

From all available information, it appears to be a well-planned robbery. We condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms and expect the government authorities to do everything possible to nab the culprits and bring them to justice. So far, the police have been very cooperative and we appreciate their prompt efforts. 

It is very distressing news. Burglars who can break in when the security guards are awake and proceed to deactivate the CCTV system must be a special kind. It is hoped that the police will be able to nab the culprits soon and bring them to book, after recovering the stolen goods.

Burglaries and robberies have been on the rise in Goa and it has become a serious concern for the people living here. The police, home ministry and the state government have been unable to tackle the problem. Authorities have not been able to solve most robberies and burglaries, nor have they been able to take concrete steps to prevent these crimes. People are feeling unsafe and insecure, and they are losing hope in the state machinery.