A week on,search for missing idol continues

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mira Bhayandar division) Nitin Sambatwad said,“We have still not managed to trace the idol but the search still continues. We have deployed two police boats and two fishermen trawlers to search for it. Besides,we are using sand dredging machines too.”

Asked how long will they continue the search operation,Sambatwad did not give a specific reply.

A police officer,who is part of the search team on condition of anonymity,said,“It has become really frustrating for us to continue the search. Even navy divers could not find the idol. We have been continuing this fruitless search for a week. Just because of some groups’ vested interests,we are made to continue with this exercise.”

Residents in the area had protested on the streets,pelted stones at vehicles and vandalised a BEST bus after the idol went missing on April 13. As there was a construction going on near the temple,residents suspected involvement of Mira Road-based builder Muzaffar Hussain’s employees in the incident.

The police intervened after the law and order situation in the area worsened. Later the locals discovered that the builders’ men had “immersed” the idol without their knowledge. Soon Bajrang Dal activists also assembled at the temple and near the creek to voice their protests. It was later discovered that the builder had constructed a new temple nearby in agreement with the temple trustees.

The Malad police had arrested five men for hurting religious sentiments. They were later granted bail.