Burglars abandon 7 idols, flee

Chennai: Police have launched a search for a gang of idol smugglers, who stole seven idols, including three panchaloha idols breaking open two temples, abandoned them at Pattabiram railway station and escaped after spotting police. The police team seized an abandoned gunny bag and found the idols inside it. The team has collected CCTV camera footage to track the suspects carrying the gunny bag to the railway station. Inquiries revealed that the burglars stole the idols from Shri Ragavendra temple at Thandurai and Muthu Mariamman temple in Mullai Nagar near Pattabiram. They decamped with a five-sovereign gold chain from the Goddess Amman apart from idols of Lord Murugan, Shri Valli, Deivanai and Goddess Muthu Mariamman. In the Ragavendra temple, panchaloha idols of Lord Narasimhar, Lord Ragavendra, and Lord Brahaladan were stolen.