Patna: Police recovered stolen Ashtadhatu idols of Lord Ram and Lakshman and Goddess Sita within an hour of their theft from a Ram-Janaki temple under Lakhaura police station area of East Champaran on Tuesday and arrested a person in connection with the case. The idols and a crown were found buried in a pit near a house under construction.According to police, the theft took place at the temple near Lakhaura Middle School in the early hours of Tuesday. After being alerted, a police team led by Lakhaura SHO Anuj Kumar Singh launched an investigation and arrested a suspect. Based on information provided during questioning, police searched an area near a house under construction and recovered the idols and crown from freshly dug pit.The arrested accused was identified as Amod Kumar Sah, a resident of Barwa village under Lakhaura police station area. Police said he disclosed the involvement of other persons during questioning. The remaining suspects have been identified and raids are being conducted to arrest them, officials said.Motihari SP, Swaran Prabhat, took note of the incident and suspended Lakhaura patrol team and the temple watchman with immediate effect, citing alleged negligence in night patrolling. He said the police acted swiftly to recover the idols and arrest an accused, adding that the involvement of one or two more persons had come to light.The SP directed all SHOs in the district to coordinate with temple management committees to install CCTV cameras at temples and strengthen night patrolling around religious places. He also appealed to people to immediately report suspicious activity to police.
