IDUKKI: Robbers and gang criminals are having a free run in the state. In the latest incident, theft has been reported at the Nedumkandam Kallar Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple. The money box and cupboards were destroyed and the thief also took away the CCTV placed in the temple.

The incident took place on Saturday night. The thief sneaked into the main sanctum of the temple, cracked the money box, and took away all the lucre collected over a certain period. Four money box placed in the temple were looted in the same style. The iron rod used to break the money box was recovered from a nearby area.

The thief entered the temple office and stole the gold kept in the cupboard. The thief also took the CCTV cameras, monitor, and hard disk of the temple. Just days back, the temple organized Skanda Sashti celebration and it saw big participation from the devotees. According to temple officials, all money received as offerings during this period was looted. Nedumkandam police have started an investigation into the case.

In another incident, Haripad police caught a woman who was accused of stealing the footwear of children during rush hours in the temple. The incident happened in Mannarasala Sri Nagaraja Temple. 66-year-old Rema was arrested by police. According to officials, Rema is a habitual offender and there are more than four cases against her registered in Haripad.