The Idol Wing CID, a special unit under the Economic Offences Wing of the Tamil Nadu State police, has been struggling due to inadequate manpower for quite some time now.
The special unit, which has shown recovery of many stolen idols of antique value to the tune of over ₹100 crore per year, is yet to have the required strength of officers in the ranks of Additional Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police for investigating cases that, on many occasions, go beyond the country's borders.
Many of those serving now have been redeployed from other wings of State police on deputation. The present strength of the unit has come down to less than 135 from 350, some two years ago.
