Temple committees across the city are considering a two-pronged strategy to ensure foolproof security in the wake of the burglary at the Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Lal Darwaza on Wednesday last.
Police have also stepped up vigil at temples in the twin cities on account of nine-day Dasara Navaratri celebrations commencing Tuesday.
While some committees have already installed surveillance cameras, most of them have decided to enhance security after the theft at the Lal Darwaza temple.
Thieves entered the temple by breaking open the main door and made away with 12 tolas of gold ornaments and four kg. of silver articles.
The committee members of Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Temple have decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy to tighten security.
Precautions
Apart from utilising the services of ‘mufti’ policemen round-the-clock, close-circuit cameras will be also installed covering the temple on all sides.
The committee has also decided to adorn the idol with gold and silver ornaments only on Tuesdays and Fridays and remove them later to prevent theft.
“We don’t want to take any risk after Wednesday’s burglary and hence have decided to improve the security,” says temple president G. Niranjan. The famous Sri Ujjaini Mahankali and Ganesh temples in Secunderabad and Sri Peddamma Temple in Jubilee Hills have already set up surveillance cameras.
These cameras were enabling managements to keep a constant vigil on those moving suspiciously on the temple premises during annual Bonalu and Ganesh festivities.
Cameras
“We have installed 20 cameras at Ujjaini Mahankali temple. It is close to the police station but we are still deploying eight security persons to guard the premises every day,” explains temple Executive Officer A. Ashok Goud.
Meetings
When contacted, DCP (South) Akun Sabharwal says; “Meetings will be conducted periodically with the temple committees requesting them to put surveillance cameras and elaborate security measures would be taken on the occasion of Navaratri celebrations.”
