As Bengal celebrates its biggest festival Durga Puja, an unpleasant incident has shaken Ketugram area of Burdwan district. Durga idol’s gold and silver jewellery was stolen on the night of Mahashtami after thieves broke open the lock of a temple. The theft took place at the Durga temple of the Baral family in Rajur village of Ketugram police station in Burdwan district.
The family alleged that gold and silver jewellery belonging to the idol were stolen. Not only this, the thieves ransacked the temple and fled. On Wednesday morning, the family members came to the temple and noticed the theft. The ornaments are normally kept at home under lock but decked on the idol during the five days of Durga Puja.
Family alleges police involvement in theft!
The family has accused Burdwan’s Ketugram Police Station of encouraging the theft. Tapan Batabyal, a senior member of the family, told media, “Before Durga puja, the IC of Ketugram police station conveyed to us through the village police that CCTV cameras need to be installed for the temple’s security during the puja. For that, we would have to pay Rs 3500. The police also demanded Rs 3200 for government publicity flex. In addition, they told us to deploy two night guards for the temple’s security. But we did not agree to pay to install CCTV cameras. We did not agree to the police’s proposal, so this theft was encouraged by the police by doing power cut in our area on that night. However, the police agreed to accept this complaint. The police have started investigating the incident.”
Police denies allegation
Katwa Subdistrict Police Officer Kashinath Mistry said, “I have heard about the incident. However, no complaint has been filed yet.” Regarding the family’s allegation of compulsory installation of CCTV cameras after depositing money, the sub-district police officer said, “It was said that CCTV cameras should be installed in public puja committees and two night guards should be deployed. There was nothing mandatory in the case of family pujas. Since expensive ornaments are worn on the goddess idol during the puja of that family, the IC of Ketugram police station personally proposed to them that CCTV cameras should be installed. But they did not agree.” The sub-district police officer also said, “Even after this, if the family files objectionable allegations against the police, then we will also take legal action.”
Baral family’s Durga Puja
Baral family’s Durga Puja is 483 years old, which is currently being conducted by the Batbyal family, who are related to the Barals. Most of the family members reside outside the state or country due to profession. However, everyone returns to the village during the puja.