Dharmasthala, Jun 21: Basadi and temple administrations must consider deploying watchmen and installing CCTV cameras, Abhishek Goyal, Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada district, has said.
The measures need to be taken by religious institutions to keep a check on higher frequency of thefts in religious centres during the rainy season, the SP suggested at a meeting held Dharmasthala guest house.
Issues such as theft of valuables and idols of historic importance from basadis and temples were discussed in the meet which was attended by representatives of religious centres from each Taluk.
Nemiraja Ariga, State Convenor, Karnataka Jain Swayamseva Sangha, said that valuable Jain idols have been stolen in several areas in the state including Mysore, Gulbarga, Bangadi and Neriya. Locals are generally unaware as to who they must report the matter to first when such thefts come to light, he said.
Advocate Shashikiran Jain opined that CCTV cameras be installed in prominent junctions.
Jayakeerthi Jain, President, Taluk unit of State Government Workers' Association said that police patrolling must be increased in prominent streets and roads. In case of lack of manpower, personnel from Home Guards must be pressed into action. Every police station must have maps and plans of each of the temples, basadis, mosques or churches under its jurisdiction, he suggested.
Responding to the points raised, Mr. Goyal said that the Department does not possess sufficient funds to install CCTV cameras and advised that religious centre administrations themselves come forward to appoint watchmen and set up cameras for their respective places of worship. Road vigil will be strengthened with immediate effect, he said, while informing that a request has been made to the Home Minister to name 40 additional police staff for Belthangady Police Station. In case of any untoward incident, people can make emergency calls to 100, 0824 2220500/ 2440284/9480805300. Maps of prominent religious centres will be prepared within a week, he said.
There are 23 police stations in 3 taluks of Udupi district while in Dakshina Kannada district, there are mere 13 police stations in 4 taluks, barring police stations coming under the Mangalore Commissionerate. Police stations need to set up in accordance with the population of the district and a demand for additional police stations and personnel for the district has been placed before the government, Mr. Goyal said.
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