Bhubaneswar,GTNS/September, 09/26 : Temples are increasingly coming under the radar of thieves in Odisha, with incidents now being reported not only from remote areas but also from the state capital.
A recent temple theft case in Bhubaneswar has once again raised concerns over the security of religious institutions, particularly during late-night hours when many places of worship remain largely deserted.
The latest incident has drawn attention to the growing challenge faced by temple committees in protecting cash, valuables and other articles kept inside shrine premises. In many cases, thieves appear to take advantage of limited security arrangements and the absence of people around the temples at night.
Authorities are examining available CCTV footage as part of efforts to identify those involved. Visual evidence from surveillance cameras could play an important role in tracing the suspects and establishing the sequence of events.
The repeated incidents have also triggered concern among local residents and temple management committees. Many are now seeking stronger security measures, better lighting around temple premises and regular police patrolling in vulnerable areas.
The issue is not limited to Bhubaneswar. Reports of theft from temples in different parts of Odisha have previously highlighted security challenges faced by smaller shrines, particularly those located away from busy residential areas.
With religious places becoming potential targets for criminals, residents are urging authorities and temple committees to strengthen preventive measures rather than relying solely on CCTV cameras after an incident occurs.
Police investigation into the latest case is expected to determine the identity of the suspects and establish whether the incident is connected to any wider pattern of temple thefts.
As concerns grow, the focus is now shifting towards making temples safer and preventing religious institutions from becoming easy targets for thieves.
