Daring Theft at Silchar’s Shani Temple; Gold Ornaments Worth Lakhs Looted, Idol Vandalised

In yet another shocking incident, National Highway Point’s Shani Temple (Hailakandi Road Sarbajanin Shanirthala), established in 1984, was targeted by miscreants on Friday night (August 15). Unlike earlier petty thefts of donation boxes, this time thieves looted gold ornaments worth several lakhs belonging to Lord Shani. They vandalised the deity’s idol, triggering outrage among devotees and raising questions over the security and night patrols of Cachar Police.

The gang broke into the temple by smashing the back window and the iron grill before carrying out the loot. They stole two gold chains, a big silver chain, bangles and other ornaments. A Shaligram Vishnu idol with golden eyes was also taken. More disturbingly, the thieves damaged the idol of Lord Shani, breaking both hands of the deity and causing extensive damage inside the temple.

On Saturday morning (August 16), devotees who gathered for the weekly puja of Lord Shani were left shocked to witness the vandalised idol and broken window. “We are fine with everything, take the money, the ornaments, but why damage the idol? This is inhuman,” said one committee member in tears. Another recalled, “Earlier, there were thefts at least three to five times, but those were limited to cash and donation boxes.”

A member of the temple committee alleged that the act may have been carried out by a gang of drug addicts. They also strongly criticised the Rangirkhari Outpost police for their failure to prevent repeated thefts despite the temple being located within Silchar town.

Police arrived at the spot soon after being informed and have started an investigation. However, devotees and committee members expressed frustration that culprits behind earlier thefts were never caught, calling into question the effectiveness of the police’s security arrangements.