-- Samir Umarye Bicholim: Villagers from Sakhali-Aravalem-Kudnem in Bicholim taluka caught two persons red-handed in the wee hours of Friday while they were attempting to break the "Garbhakud" (sanctum sanctorum) of Rudreshwar temple at Aravalem after committing theft of gold jewellery worth 1 lakh used to decorate a 'Kalash' of Goddess Kelbai kept in the same temple.
Both the accused Siddhu Veerappa Khadpi, 23, from Belgaum and Annappa Bhimappa Karware, 40, from Bellari have been arrested and the stolen jewellery has been recovered. During the scuffle, one of the burglars who managed to run away was finally nabbed by police at Falwadi Kudnem. Sources said that the 'kalutsav' of Kelbai Devasthan from this area is in progress. As per tradition the Kalash of the Goddess is kept in the temple during night time. The Kalash was kept in the Rudreshwar temple premises and some of the locals accompanying the Kalash procession were sleeping in the temple. At about 3am on Friday, a person in the temple woke up after hearing some sounds and was astonished to see that two thieves were attempting to break the Garbhakud of the temple. He soon alerted other three persons who were with him and managed to nab the accused. Locals immediately reported this matter to Bicholim police. On getting information, Bicholim police team comprising of DySP Gajanan Prabhudesai, PI Rupendra Shetgaonkar, PSI Tukaram Walke, PCs Babaji Assagaonkar, Nilesh Fogeri, Yeshwant Gawas and Santosh Gawade rushed to the spot and managed to nab the other culprit at Falwada Kudnem. It is suspected that the same thieves could be involved in the recently committed thefts in different temples from Mayem. Locals who caught the thieves red-handed included Narayan Malik, Rohidas Malik, Uday Malik and Anil Malik. PI Rupednra Shetgaonkar is investigating under the guidance of DySP Gajanan Prabhudesai.(toi)
