In a shocking incident, thousands of bamboo lights and projector lights installed along the key routes leading to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya have been reported stolen. The theft, which took place in a high-security area, came to light in May but was reported to the police only in August.
According to a police report, private firms Yash Enterprises and Krishna Automobiles had installed a total of 6,400 bamboo lights on Ram Path and 96 gobo projector lights on Bhakti Path, the main roads leading to the temple. The theft of approximately 3,800 bamboo lights and 36 projector lights, worth over ₹50 lakh, was reported by the firms to the Ram Janmabhoomi police station on August 9.
The firms had been awarded the contract to install the lights by the Ayodhya Development Authority ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in January. The FIR filed by the companies states that all the lights were present until March 19th, but an inspection on May 9th revealed that several were missing.
The incident has raised concerns about security in Ayodhya, especially given the high-profile nature of the Ram Mandir. The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. The theft of street lights, a common occurrence in many cities, has now hit the heart of a major pilgrimage site, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures.
Ayodhya, the temple town of Uttar Pradesh, underwent extensive renovation and beautification in preparation for the Ram temple consecration ceremony. The installation of lights was part of the beautification project aimed at enhancing the experience for pilgrims visiting the temple.
