The Hindu : Security tightened around monuments in Hassan Dt.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 07, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Security tightened around monuments in Hassan Dt.

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN APRIL 6. Police have stepped up security around the world famous monuments at Belur, Halebeed, and Shravanabelagola in Hassan District in view of the recent robbery at Shravanabelagola.

The Superintendent of Police, M. Nanjundaswamy, told The Hindu here that a permanent police outpost with a wireless transmission tower had been established at Swami Pada in Shravanabelagola. Five armed policemen would guard the Gommata Betta and the Chikka Betta round-the-clock.

He said security had been tightened in and around Shravanabelagola for the fair commencing on April 12. Apart from police force, 150 Home Guards would be deployed at the world famous Jain pilgrimage centre.

Mr. Nanjundaswamy said that he had requested Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharya Swamji to strengthen the private security network at Shravanabelagola in view of the recent robbery there. He had also urged the swamiji to take steps to install closed circuit TV and electronic alarm system there. The swamiji had agreed to his suggestions and had deployed four more private security personnel.

Ten armed policemen would be deployed at the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebeed. They would guard the temple round-the-clock, and wireless sets had been provided to them.

The Halebeedu Police would also patrol the temples in the area. A permanent police outpost had been set up at Belur. Twelve policemen were guarding the three "Garbha Grahas" there, he said.

He said that he had suspended three constables for dereliction of duty. The swamiji was happy with the action taken by the police in connection with the recent robbery.

Mr. Nanjundaswamy said police had identified four more persons in connection with the robbery. They were Lingamayya, Nagesh, Tangavelu, and Raju against whom police had registered cases in the Pandavapura Police Station. They were released on March 28 from the Nanjangud Jail in Mysore District. They committed robbery at Shravanabelagola on March 30. A gold chain had been recovered from a bush near the temple premises during the combing operation.

He said efforts were on to trace a rifle, which the dacoits had snatched from a policeman during the incident. A team of 50 policemen headed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ramesh, was searching places surrounding the temple for the rifle. The dacoits might have thrown the rifle somewhere near the temple premises. Tanks and wells near the premises had been emptied for the purpose, he added.

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Security tightened around monuments in Hassan Dt.