"It is not possible...": Ayodhya's Commissioner denies large-scale theft of fancy lights on Ram Path, Bhakti Path
Aug 14, 2024
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 14 : Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal has cast doubt on reports that 3,600 fancy lights were stolen from Bhakti Path and Ram Path, key routes to reach Ram Mandir, suggesting that the extent of the theft may be overstated.
According to Dayal, the contractor responsible for the lights has informed authorities that bamboo-based fancy lights were stolen from the area.
"The contractor has informed that fancy bamboo lights have been stolen from the trees. It is not possible that such a large quantity of lights can be stolen since there are police patrolling day and night in Ayodhya," Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said while speaking to ANI.
However, Dayal expressed scepticism about the reported quantity, noting that the claim of 3,600 lights being stolen seems unlikely given the continuous police patrolling in the city.
"As per the initial information, we did not put such a large number of lights as it has been informed that around 3,600 lights have been stolen. Still, we are going to investigate this," he added.
The lights were installed under a contract awarded by the Ayodhya Development Authority, as part of preparations for the grand Ram temple consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22.
Police are actively probing the case, seeking to uncover how such a large-scale theft could occur in such a tightly secured area.
The Commissioner stated that an investigation was underway and emphasized that the contractor responsible for the lights would be held accountable for any losses.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav seized on the incident to criticize the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of law and order, claiming that it reflects a broader problem of "darkness and disorder" in the state.
https://x.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1823688401477845281
Yadav wrote in Hindi on X, which roughly translates to, "Thieves have exposed the law and order arrangement in UP's Ayodhya, that is why the people are saying that it is like a pole without electricity. BJP government means darkness all-around, so today's Ayodhya says we don't need BJP,".
