Chennai

The incident happened at Sri Vengaiamman temple situated in Periyavelikadu village near Maduranthagam. The police said that the temple was constructed over a decade ago and hundreds of people from Chennai would visit the temple during Aadi festivals. As the temple has been closed due to the State-wide lockdown, only priests have been visiting the temple to conduct pujas. On Tuesday morning, a few priests, who reached the temple, found the front wooden door broken open and 11 sovereigns of ornaments, which adorned the Amman idol, missing. They also found that intruders had looted 9 kg silver items along with Rs 10,000 from the temple.

The Anaicut police, who visited the spot, registered a case and have launched a hunt for the burglars. In Chengalpattu district, burglars have been targeting temples during the lockdown. Last week, a few temples in Thirukalukundram were robbed by unidentified men. Similarly, two weeks ago two temples in Kelambakkam and Thazhambur were also looted.