KURNOOL: Burglars plundered four of the five hundis at the upper Ahobilam temple last night. Besides the offerings made by devotees, the thieves made away with silver ornaments of the presiding deity and His consort.
According to the temple staff and locals, the burglars entered the temple on Monday night through the Bavanasi river compound by bending the iron rods.
They broke open four hundis with iron rods and fled with over Rs 1 lakh in cash and silver ornaments weighing 2 kg.
Police suspect the involvement of at least five persons in the theft. The miscreants might have spent two hours in the temple.
Locals said that barring special occasions the temple has no security, including police patrolling.
On coming to know of the robbery, Nandyal DSP Samai John Raj along with Allagadda circle inspector Giridhar, Allagadda rural SI Dastagiri, a Clues team and a dog squad rushed to the temple and said they would soon unravel the case.
Locals said that the ongoing rivalry between the archakas and other administrative staff is the cause of the temple. The staff leave the temple by 8:00 p.m every day, leaving security to winds, they said.
The temple staff shrugged it off, saying the police would look into the issue.