Stolen Thazhikakudam of Muthavazhi temple found

ALAPPUZHA:  The thazhikakudam  (dome) stolen from the Muthavazhi Sree Subramanian Swami Temple Kumaramangalam, Chengannur, was found from the house premises of the temple Ooranma Chithrathoor madom, near here, on Saturday.The owner of the house, a priest, Sakthikumar Bhattathiri, found the thazhikakudam in front of his house at 4.15 am.He found it as he was leaving the house to perform daily pooja at the Sreekrishna Temple Kodiyattukara temple. Immediately, he informed the police about it. The  thazhikakudam was recovered as a whole.The police suspected the thieves left the thazhikakudam in front of the house.The thazhikakudam, which is suspected to contain Iridium, a valuable metal, was stolen from the top of the sreekovil of the temple on Thursday.Such an information about the presence of the iridium metal in the dome spread after a foreign agency found the presence of Iridium in the dome of the temple in 2008 in a satellite survey.Following this, several theft attempts had occurred in the temple. Scientific expert from the police department collected finger prints. The dog squad also conducted a search in  the temple area on Saturday.“The investigation team is searching for the thieves and have questioned more than 100 persons in connection with the case, but yet has not found any hint on the case," Chengannur CI R Jose, who is leading the investigation, said.But, some of the members in the investigation team revealed that three persons were on the lookout by senior police officers in this connection. The police suspect that some of the local residents are also involved in the theft.