DHENKANAL: With the police yet to achieve any breakthrough in the Kapilash temple idols loot case, the BJP has demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
Three idols were stolen from the 12th Century temple on November 25.
Criticising police and district administrations for failure in nabbing the culprits and recovering the idols, BJP district unit president Naresh Chandra Mohapatra said, no security personnel was present on the night of Kartika Purnima when the three idols were stolen.
Out of six home guards on duty, four were engaged in the wireless centre while two others were absent from the temple premises, he added.
At a meeting held recently, it was decided to gherao Collector’s office on December 11 if no measures were taken in this regard.
Another organisation, Dhenkanal Swabhiman Manch led by former BJD MLA Nabin Nanda submitted a 20-point charter of demands for smooth functioning of Kapilash temple, failing which he has threatened to sit on a dharna before the temple from January 1.
District Collector Roopa Roshan Sahoo visited Kapilash temple and reviewed the situation in presence of ADM Yudhistir Nayak, SP Nikhil Kumar Kanodia and DRDA Project Director Madhusudan Mishra, who is also in-charge Debottar office.
It was decided that one DSP and an Inspector will visit the temple on regular basis and security will be increased in the upper reaches of the temple, at wireless centre and four Hi-max lights, six CCTV cameras will be installed, said SDPO Raj Kishore Dora.
Meanwhile, the SP said involvement of an inter-state racket is being suspected in theft of the three precious idols. “We are making all out efforts to trace the culprits and investigation is on in full swing”, he added.
Kapilash temple generates a revenue of over `80 lakh from shops, lands and other property sources, said sources.