Burglars steal again from Temple in the Sea

They got only $15 which represents donations visitors placed near the murtis (religious statues) during their tour of the heritage site at the weekend.

The incident was the third such act of sacrilege in the last six months at the temple.

President of the temple Randolph Rampersad said the most recent incident got him so “fedup” that he decided not to report the matter to the police.

When worshippers and tourists arrived at the temple on Saturday morning, they observed that a glass window at the back of the building had been smashed.

A large boulder was found inside the temple. Rampersad told Newsday yesterday, “How could someone have the conscience to break into a religious place just to steal $15? Six months ago they broke into the temple and stole money from the donation box. Then three months ago they broke in again and vandalised the place and now this. It is so frustrating.” He said that on all the previous occasions he had reported the matter to the Freeport Police Station, “but this time I did not make a report because I know nothing will come out of it.... I remember talking to a senior police officer at the station and begging him to have his officers just patrol the area at nights to keep away the criminals and not even that was done.” Rampersad said people no longer have respect for religious institutions.

The keepers of the temple had intended to install burglar proofing but Rampersad said they were concerned that it would diminish the beauty of the structure which was rebuilt 22 years ago and is standing strong in the waters of the Gulf of Paria. The broken window was valued at $450.