The special investigation team probing the theft at the Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Mavelikkara, suspect that local thieves are behind the burglary. The probe team, which has been divided into four, has started extensive search for the robbers across the state. Three locals who were arrested earlier in various theft cases have been absconding after the incident.
The mobile phone of one of them is switched off, investigating officer and Mavelikkara Circle Inspector S Sivasuthan Pillai said.
The police officials had dismissed the possibility of the role of professional temple robbers on Wednesday itself. The robbers had left behind the panchaloha idol worth crores of rupees. They have only taken the crown and chain adorned on the deity. That leads to the suspicion about the involvement of locals in the theft, CI said.
According to the police the security lapses in the temple had led to the robbery. The police had warned the temple authorities about the possibility of a theft. At the time of the incident the security guards of the temple were sleeping in the temple office room. The robbers entered the ‘chuttambalam’ through the tower constructed for fixing the loudspeaker. The roof tiles of the ‘chuttambalam’ were removed. The chief priest did not lock the sanctum sanctorum. He only locked the iron grill constructed as an additional protection to it, the police said.