Police arrest 13 for multiple thefts across temples in Markapuram district
Markapuram police arrested 13 individuals involved in a series of temple thefts, recovering stolen property worth ₹22.7 lakh. The group, which included construction workers and a watchman, targeted idols and silverware across multiple mandals.
Why it matters
The recovery of stolen religious artifacts and the arrest of the perpetrators address concerns regarding the security of cultural and religious heritage sites.
The Markapuram district police have arrested 13 persons in connection with multiple thefts reported across temples in the district and have recovered stolen property worth ₹22.7 lakh from them.
The accused have been identified as Indla Vishnuvardhan (28), Thammisetti Ramanaiah (50), Mallala Chenchu Subba Rao (39), S. Umamaheswara Rao (41), Kommi Katamraju (41), Bathula Seenu (50), Pinni Rajeev (22), Kamma Suryateja (43), Moka Anjaneyulu (42), Derangula Venkataramana (50), Bandaru Tirupathaiah (45), Dudekula Nagoor Sharif (41) and Chandaluri Balaguravaiah (42). According to the police, the accused were arrested for the thefts reported from C.S. Puram, Pamuru, Kanigiri and Konakarametla mandals in the district.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Harshavardhan Raju said that the 13 were reportedly working as masons and construction workers at various locations and came together through mutual contacts.
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