Nellore: In a bizarre incident reported from Andhra’s Nellore district, that a Nandi idol has been stolen from a Shiva temple, the police said on Friday. Sharing details before media, Sub-Inspector of the Chejerla Police Station, Hanif said, "On Wednesday night, some miscreants stole the Nandi idol erected on a pedestal in the premises of the ancient Neelakantheswara temple at the T.K Padu village in Chejerla Mandal."Informing that a case has been registered, the police officer said that an investigation into the matter is underway.
Venkatappaih, a villager reportedly said, "Not even a single case of robbery has been reported from our village since the last 70 years." Urging the government to take strict action, he added, "The Government should wake up immediately and get the Nandi idol back." Earlier last month, another idol of Nandi was stolen from the premises of the Golingeswara Swami Temple in the East Godavari district of the state.
Earlier on April this year, an idol of Nandi at a 500-year-old temple of Lord Shiva at Devalampeta village of Palamaner Mandal, 50 km, reportedly went missing. In the past, incidents of breaking Nandi idols was reported from a couple of temples in Chittoor district, believed to be the act of treasure hunters. After the infamous Ramatheertham episode, the Chittoor police had swung into action and installed digital surveillance at hundreds of vulnerable temples across the district.
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