Security in Jagannath temple beefed up;New regulation imposed

Puri, Mar 19 (UNI) The Orissa government today decided to streamline the security system in and around the Jagannath temple in the wake of frequent terrorist attacks on holy shrines in the country.

State Law Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan, who held a high level meeting to oversee the security arrangement in the temple, told reporters here that one way entry of pilgrims through the lions gate and the south gate would now be introduced in the temple.

The two other gates of the temple would be used for exit for the devotees. However, the servitors were exempted from this new regulation, he said.

The minister said four watch towers would be erected at all the four sides of the temple complex and armed security personnel would maintain round the clock surveillance both inside and outside the temple.

He said close circuit television cameras would be installed at all the four gates and inside the temple complex to monitor the movement of the visitors. The authority has banned the use of cell phones inside the temple.

Mr Harichandan said the queue system would enable the personnel manning the entry gates for better frisking of the pilgrims. Except on the special occasions, no entry to temple would be allowed after 2300 hours in the night.

It was decided in the meeting that all encroachments from the temple surrounding would be evicted and steps would be taken to keep the area vehicle free zone. All the dilapidated and unsafe buildings around the temple would be razed to ground.

Temple chief administrator Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said the close circuit TV camera installation being worked out by the IDCO was almost nearing completion.

He said within two months the watch towers would be erected while metal detector gates would be installed at all the four temple gates.

Mr.Mohapatra said the armed police strength inside the temple would be enhanced and nearly fifty youths would be inducted into the temple security after a two months training by the police. They would be pressed into internal temple security soon. He further said two retired officers from Army and the police would head these trained personnel in shifts.

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