BHOPAL: Ram temples, which are high on BJP priority, are not safe in Madhya Pradesh. More than 20 priceless ashtadhatu idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman have been stolen in Rewa and adjoining areas in the last 10 years. And as many as 10 priests have been murdered.

Former director-general of police Shivmohan Singh suspects the hand of an international gang of smugglers in burglaries. This global module, active in the Vindhya Pradesh region, is plundering "priceless property of the Baghel and Kalchuri era".

Hours after midnight on Saturday, a 90-year-old priest, Basant Kumar Payasi, was strangled to death and ashtadhatu idols stolen from the 126-year-old Ram-Govind temple in Govindgarh, few km from Rewa district headquarters. The murder triggered protests on Sunday, followed by a bandh in the area.

This was not a solitary incident. In the past 10 years, as many as 20 such incidents have taken place and more than 10 priests have been murdered and temples looted.

All temples belonged to the erstwhile princely state of Rewa which are now managed by a trust run by the state government. As the principal deity of the princely state was Ram, idols were installed at the sanctum sanctorum.

Collector of Rewa, Shivnarayan Rupla, denied involvement of any organised gang in idol thefts. "The idol stolen from Govindgarh temple was sculpted out of ordinary stone," he said.

All 72 temples constructed by Rewa royals are now governed by Laxmanbagh Trust whose CEO is Rewa SDM and the collector is the administrator. They are spread all over the country, including Ayodhya and Puri. As many as 42 temples of the trust are located in Rewa and adjoining districts.

Scion of Rewa royals Pushparaj Singh said, "Baghel and Kalchuri kings did not indulge in luxury. They were deeply religious and built temples with precious ashtadhatu, black stone and marble. For maintenance and conservation, a parallel institution called Laxmanbagh Trust was created which is governed by the government. This trust is in total disarray."

Madhya Pradesh Pujari Mahasabha founder Ashok Pandey said, "Ram is not safe in Rewa. The government should take steps to ensure security and safety of temples".

However, home minister Babulal Gaur denied that Ram temples are unsafe. Speaking to TOI, he said police are investigating the thefts and the criminals would be nabbed. Unsafe Ram temples

Babupur temple : Ram Janki ashtadhatu idols stolen:

Bakna village temple : ashtadhatu idols of Ram Laxman stolen and temple priest and wife murdered.

Tala temple : Ram Janki idols of ashtadhatu stolen , priest murdered

Chadwa village temple: ashtadhatu idol of Ram, Laxman Janki stolen, priest and wife killed

Maghuryaai temple : idols of Ram Janki stolen,priest murdered

Mohari temple : Ram Janki statues stolen, priest killed

Dabhora temple theft: idols stolen, priest killed.

Sheetaldeep temple inside a lake in Govindgarh: 6 feet idol of black stone idol of Lord Vishnu stolen.

Durbalinath temple: Govindgarh: Black stone idol of Ram stolen.

Harchand Rai temple:Ram Laxman Janki idols of ashtadhatu stolen.

Pachmandir in Govindgarh: Ram, Laxman Janki idols of black stone stolen.

Chuaran temple : Ram Laxman Janki black stone idols stolen.

