12 antique idols worth 50 Lakhs stolen from temple, priest injured

Samastipur: At least 12 antique idols worth more than Rs 50 lakh were stolen from a temple even as burglars killed a villager and seriously injured priest on their resistance under Vibhutipur police station area in the district late last night.

Police said here today that burglars entered into Murli Manohar Thakurbari at Mahthi village by unlocking the main gate of temple and stole at least 12 antique statues of Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Radha-Krishna worth more than Rs 50 lakh. 

Sources said outlaws killed the villager Awadhesh Singh with a sharp edged weapon and critically injured the priest Ram Kumar Das on their resistance. The stolen idols are nearly 200 years old, sources added.

Police said the injured priest had been admitted to Samastipur Sadar Hospital after his preliminary treatment at a local hospital. An FIR had been registered against unknown criminals in this connection.(UNI)