'Form special team to solve Marle theft case'

MLA C T Ravi directed Rural Circle Inspector Krishnaraju to form special teams to solve Marle Sri Chennakeshava Temple theft case where rare idols of ‘Shilabalike’ were stolen on Saturday.

The idols were installed in the interior pillars of the temple belonging to Hoysala period. MLA visited the temple on Monday and addressing press persons told that there are possibilities of international level network being involved in the crime. “It is necessary to form a team to solve the case. Lack of security to the temples coming under the department of archeology is the main reason behind the theft,” he said.

He meanwhile urged the government to establish a separate department for the protection and preservation of historic places and to provide more grants towards the development of such sites.

Stating that a single officer has been given the charge of eight districts, Ravi urged to appoint officers for each district and to deploy security men, to install CC TVs, and to build compound walls.

The villagers urged to deploy security personnel to the temple. Archeology department Engineer Shadaksharappa, Tashildar Kulkarni and Muzrai department officials were present.