A daring burglary at the historic Shri Shri Panchadevata Temple in Panisagar under North Tripura district triggered panic among temple authorities and local residents after thieves decamped with gold and silver ornaments and cash during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sources said that the temple, located near the Panisagar Fire Service station, has reportedly been targeted by burglars on several occasions in the past, raising fresh concerns over security arrangements at the religious site.
According to members of the temple welfare committee, a religious programme was held at the temple on Tuesday night, with activities continuing until around midnight. After the programme concluded, committee members left for their respective homes. Taking advantage of the deserted premises, suspected thieves broke into the temple during the night.
The incident came to light at around 4 AM on Wednesday. when devotees arrived to participate in the traditional ‘Mangala Kirtan’ observed during the Bengali month of’ Kartik’. They found the rear door of the temple office broken open. Upon entering, they discovered the room ransacked and immediately informed members of the temple management committee.
A preliminary assessment revealed that the thieves had forced open an almirah after breaking through the rear entrance and fled with approximately two ‘bhori’ of gold ornaments, nearly three ‘bhori’ of silver jewellery, and donation money estimated at around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000.
The burglars also reportedly targeted a nearby sweet shop owned by Shibananda Das, adjacent to the temple. After breaking the shop's lock, they stole several items. However, no cash was taken as there was reportedly no money kept inside the shop at the time.
After the incidents were reported, police personnel from Panisagar police station rushed to the spot, conducted a preliminary investigation and registered a case based on a complaint lodged by the temple management committee. Police have launched an investigation and initiated a search operation to identify and arrest those involved, besides making efforts to recover the stolen valuables items.
The repeated thefts at the historic temple, situated in one of the busiest parts of Panisagar near the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office, the Fire Service department and the Assam–Agartala National Highway, have sparked serious concerns over law and order in the area. Local residents questioned how burglars could repeatedly target a prominent religious institution located close to key government offices without being detected.
The latest incident has created anxiety among residents, who are now awaiting swift police action to apprehend the culprits and recover the stolen property.