Dhori church at Jarangdih. Picture by Pankaj Singh

Bokaro, Jan. 27: A statue of Mother Mary was stolen from a place of religious importance at Dhori colliery in Jarangdih. The 2ft statue was last seen yesterday evening.

Hundreds of Christians, including priests, from across the state started queuing up outside Dhori Mata Tirthalaya, about 50km from here, since this morning as the news of the statue’s theft spread.

Between sobs, they requested the police and the administration to trace the idol, “an inspiration to live in this mundane world”.

Senior police officers, including Bokaro superintendent of police Priya Dubey and coal belt deputy inspector-general of police Anurag Gupta, rushed to the temple and deployed a dog squad to trace the robbers.

Following instruction from director-general of police Vishnu Dayal Ram, Gupta announced a cash reward to anyone providing clue that could lead to the recovery of the statue.

The robbers had broke open two locks to enter the hall where the statue was placed inside a glass enclosure on a 12ft platform. They also took out several thousands of rupees kept inside the donation box. The place has no security arrangements.

Chief of the religious place Father A.J. Tommy said he could not believe that the statute of “faith, affection, peace and prosperity” could be stolen as people from all religions had “full faith” in the statute.

“I do not want to blame anyone for this mischief but I am requesting the administration to do their best to get the statute back. We feel we have become an orphan without it,” said the priest.

On the last Sunday of October, thousands of people from across the country and some foreigners come here to attend a religious fair organised in the honour of the statue.

DIG Gupta said the police were trying their best to crack the case.

“It might be the job of a local criminal. At this moment we cannot confirm if an international gang is involved in the theft. The police are trying their best to nab the criminals. The director-general of police has announced a cash award for clues,” added Gupta, who is personally monitoring the developments related to the theft case.

The Statue of Love, as it is known, is held in high regard by thousands of people as it was discovered in 1956 from a coal mine.

In 1964, the statue was blessed by Pope John Paul II after he was told that the 2ft wooden idol was not man-made but looks like Mary holding her child.

It was initially considered to be a statue of Kali but was handed over to Christians later.

In October 1957, the statue was placed at Dhori Mata Tirthalaya, from where it was stolen. Hindus and Muslims also pray at this place.