'Jungle policing' at famous Sankatmochan temple

Varanasi, June 12 (UNI) As part of slew of measures to intensify security at the blast-hit Sankatmochan temple here, the police today decided to start special policing in the jungles on the temple complex.

SSP Ashutosh Pandey, who reviewed security arrangements at the temple here this afternoon, told UNI a lot still needed to be done for making the temple entirely secure.

''We are going to immediately put in place some measures including jungle policing, mobile police squads to gaurd the 1.1 km long boundary of the temple, besides similar arrangements at the parking lot,'' he added.

There is a need for policing in the 16th century temple's jungle, generally infested by monkeys. It can be used as terrorist hideout, in case of any misadventure by ultras. Keeping this in mind special jungle policing will be started soon at the jungle.

Besides, mobile squads will be deployed in parking lots to guard the temple boundary. One section of PAC will be drafted into temple security, while the Sankatmochan police outpost in charge will be replaced with a full-time sub-inspector.

The SSP said lighting arrangements will be improved in the temple for ensuring proper night-vigil. Private security guards -- deployed alongside police and PAC jawans -- will also be provided licensed weapons on priority basis.

''Sankatmochan Temple Trust has been brought alive over the need of arms for private security guards and the Trust has been assured full support in issuing of weapon licenses to private securitymen,'' Mr Pandey added.

These measures are immediate initiatives to be followed by drafting of a comprehensive plan for Sankatmochan security, on lines of the plan existing for highly sensitive Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi complex, in this same religious city.

A committee has been constituted to draw the plan, which will be sent to Uttar Pradesh government for approval.

Sankatmochan Temple was rocked by a blast on March 7 last.

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