Two ancient stone images of lord Buddha were stolen from the 500-year-old Santiswar Temple located at Solamapur village on the Jajpur-Bhadrak district boarder on Monday night.
The century-old three-foot stone images had been leaned to the temple wall since time immemorial and the villagers worshipping them.
“We have sounded a high alert and started a manhunt to nab the idol lifters. We have also pressed sniffer dogs for the purpose,” said Bhandaripokhari police station IIC Nabakrushna Nayak.
The police have interrogated a section of the temple priests and locals and they do not rule out insiders’ involvement.
“We have formed a special team to investigate the theft. It may be a long-drawn search,” said Nayak.