With temples becoming easy targets for burglars in recent times, the police have directed all temple management committees to take precautionary measure such as installing surveillance cameras and appointing guards.
In 2014, as many as 27 cases of temple theft were reported in the district, with the police cracking 11 cases and arresting 18 persons. The following year, there were 25 cases, of which 12 were cracked. In 2016, there have been nine cases so far.
Superintendent of Police Ravi Channannavar said a meeting of temple management committee members and priests was held in the city recently. They were directed to install surveillance cameras and burglar alarms inside the sanctum sanctorum, and appoint security guards.
They were also told that the money collected in the hundi of the temple should be counted and deposited in banks regularly. Ornaments and jewels should not be left on the idols at night. The doors and the protection walls of temples should be strengthened, he said. Mr. Channannavar said that surveillance cameras should be installed at strategic locations to ensure everyone entering the temple is captured on CCTV. The credentials of the security guards should be properly verified prior to appointment, he added.
M.B. Bhanuprakash, MLC, had said at a meeting held in the city recently that small temples in remote places, which have limited income, and those that don’t receive financial assistance from the Muzrai Department would not be able to install surveillance cameras and appoint security guards. Responding to this, Mr. Channannavar said police patrolling will be increased in such areas.
Police direct them to install surveillance cameras and burglar alarms, apart from appointing guards
