August 7, 2013: A Hindu temple in Felicity, where Chaguanas West Member of Parliament Jack Warner held a puja (prayer service) before the last Monday’s by-election, was burglarised and torched yesterday. 

Over $230,000 worth in gold jewelry which adorned 20 murtis in the temple, and cash from a donation box, was stolen.

Carpet,  drapery and plastic chairs worth more than $50,000 were destroyed in the fire at the Shri Sankar Mandir at Cacandee Road. 

Secretary of the temple Ramdin Rooplal said the incident followed an incident on Saturday, when the saris draped over the murtis were slashed.

Rooplal said the fire was discovered around 1 p.m. by a passerby.

Warner visited the temple yesterday afternoon and surveyed the damage. 

“I am amazed that this could be done in broad daylight when the culprits can be seen by anybody vicinity of the temple”, said Warner.

 “To think this is political I don’t want to rush to judgement. There is no evidence here that this was political. What I do know however there has been a wanton act of vandalism.” 

 Warner said he wanted the police officers “to try to solve matter quickly. I will work with the organisation here to have this place restored in the shortest possible time.” 

He said: “Crime is on the rise. Seven murders in 12 hours is a shocker for any country. 

If the minister is comfortable with crime, and if he is believes crime is on the downhill then so be it.”

The incident is being investigated as an act of sacrilege by officers of the Chaguanas Police Station. 

Source: Trinidad Express Newspaper, DT. August 7, 2013.