PANJIM, AUG 15
A ghumti was desecrated at Shiroda, while burglars stole the fund box at a temple in Vasco, as religious places continued to be targets for vandalism and burglaries in the State.
Ponda Correspondent adds: Tension prevailed at Shiroda on Saturday afternoon, after the Ghumti of a deity was found damaged at Varbhat.
According to reports, the incident is believed to have taken place sometime between 8.30 pm on Friday and 8 am on Saturday.
As soon as villagers found the top part of the structure damaged, they alerted Ponda police.
Within a short while, a large number of villagers gathered at the site and some even tried to block traffic along the Ponda-Sanvordem to protest against the desecration. A police force, led by DySP Serafin Dias and PI C L Patil, rushed to the site and pacified the agitated villagers.
Shiroda MLA Mahadeo Naik also visited the site and asked the police to nab the culprits immediately. He also appealed to the people to maintain peace in the area.
Vasco Reporter adds: Within less than 24 hours, a second temple was burgled in Mormugao taluka, as burglars decamped with cash of about Rs 7,000 from the donation box in the wee hours of Saturday.
According to Vasco, burglars broke open the fund box at Datta Saunstan Temple of Lord Dattatraya at Orule-Vasco, and decamped with the cash, but left other valuables in the temple untouched.
The incident came into light when the poojary went to perform the early morning pooja.
Vasco police pressed a dog squad and fingerprint experts into service as part of its investigation process. PSI S L Kamble is investigating the case.
