Ayodhya, India

It seems thieves are working overtime in the holy Indian city of Ayodhya as more than 3,800 bamboo and 36 projector lights worth over Rs 50 lakh ($60,000) installed on the Bhakti Path and Ram Path were allegedly stolen. Police in Uttar Pradesh, a northern state governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), registered a case on August 9 following a complaint by a representative of the firm that had installed these lights under a government contract.

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"As many as 6,400 bamboo lights were installed on Rampath and 96 projector lights were installed on Bhakti Path. Till 19 March all the lights were there but after an inspection on May 9, it was found that some lights were missing,” the representative said.

"Till now around 3,800 bamboo lights and 36 projector lights have been stolen by some unknown thieves," he added.

Bhakti Path and Ram Path

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Notably, Bhakti Path and Ram Path are high-security zones in Ayodhya, the city where a grand temple of Lord Ram was inaugurated by PM Modi in January this year. Bhakti Path is the main road that connects Shringar Ghat to Hanuman Garhi and finally the temple.

Also read: Ayodhya rape case: Survivor’s mother claims Samajwadi Party leaders told her to drop complaint, offered money

Meanwhile, Ram Path is a 13-km-long highway that links Sadatganj to Naya Ghat.

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As the grand temple was inaugurated in the city, the two roads witnessed a remarkable renovation and renovation with over $60,000 of taxpayers’ money. All of it seems to have gone down the drain now, even as the government’s slumber continues.

Social media shocked

The news came as a rude shocker for users on social media, with people raising questions about the state led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

“This is condition of Law & Order in Uttar Pradesh under Yogi Adityanath,” one user said. “In Yogi rajaya..even lord Ram mandir properties are not safe,” a second user commented.

A third user hinted at an inside job, demanding a probe into the matter.

“Looks like this is an inside job, as robbing such a large number of lights is not possible. Needs to be probed intensively,” said the user.

“Yogi model,” a fourth user quipped.

(With inputs from agencies)