Phones, Cash, ATM Cards Stolen: Ayodhya Dham On Pickpockets’ Radar As Devotees Throng For Ram's Darshan

The new Ram Temple in Ayodhya was opened for ‘darshan’ for the general public earlier today after the grand ‘pran pratishtha’ on January 22. Amid a footfall of over 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh devotees already, reports of pickpockets taking advantage of the massive crowds at the temple gates surfaced on Tuesday.

According to an NDTV report, the pickpockets have been targeting handbags and pockets, and making away with cash and other valuables. In view of the influx of a large number of devotees for ‘darshan’ of Ram Lalla, UP Principal Secretary, Home, Sanjay Prasad and Special DG Law and Order, Prashant Kumar are present inside the ‘Garbha Griha’ of the temple, to monitor the movement of devotees.

While the gates to the temple were opened only at 7:00 am, a long queue of devotees eager for ‘darshan’ had lined up since last night.

ALSO READ: 1.5 Lakh Devotees Throng Ayodhya Ram Temple on Day 1: What are the Dos & Don’ts for Darshan?

Purnima had come all the way from Canada to Ayodhya for Ram Lalla’s ‘darshan’ and waited in line for long hours before getting a chance to offer prayers before the deity only to realise moments later that money and other items were missing from her handbag, NDTV reported.

Upon checking the bag, she found multiple fine cuts on them, made presumably with a blade.

Purnima’s friend Prapti, who accompanied her on the Ayodhya trip also met the same fate as her sling bag’s zip was opened, and her Aadhaar card, ATM card, driver’s licence and other documents were stolen.

Local residents suspect that a gang of criminals from outside the city could be behind the theft. NDTV quoted a cybercafe owner saying that over 20 people visited his shop over the past two days to register theft complaints.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial survey of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple premises as part of security measures as thousands of devotees continue to arrive in the holy city for ‘darshan’.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has issued Darshan timings and advisory for devotees in order to avoid chaos. Devotees will be allowed to see the idol of Ram Lalla from 7 am to 11.30 am, and 2 pm to 7 pm. The temple will be closed for Darshan from 1 pm to 3 pm daily.