Vijayawada: Village Defence Squads step up vigil to protect places of worship

Vijayawada: Krishna district police and Village Defence Squads have stepped up vigil in the villages and towns to check attacks on temples and other places of worship.

Keeping in view of the incidents of vandalism at Antarvedi and Ramateerdham and other places in the State, the district police have increased vigil during the nights at the temples and the places of worship. A total of 982 Village Defence Squads were formed in the district.

Volunteers of the Village Defence Squads work in coordination with the police to ensure protection to the places of worship and maintain communal harmony and peace in the villages and towns.

A total of 195 squads were formed in Bandar police sub-division limits, 223 squads in Gudivada sub-division limits, 283 squads in Nuzvid sub-division limits, 170 in Nandigama sub-division limits and 111 in Avanigadda sub-division limits. These squads have stepped up vigil to prevent attacks on temples and other holy places.

Besides, CC cameras were also installed at the temples, churches, mosques and other places of worship. A total of 460 CC cameras arranged at the temples and other places of worship in Bandar sub-division limits, 486 in Gudivada, 687 CC cameras in Nuzvid sub-division limits, 156 in Nandigama sub-division limits and 399 in Avanigadda sub-division limits.

Krishna district Superintendent of Police M Ravindranath Babu said the Village Defence Squads and the police will work in coordination with the local people. He said the police are creating awareness on the recent incidents of attacks on temples in the State and asking the local people to be on high alert during the nights as miscreants may create problems and disrupt the peace by vandalizing the idols or desecration of temples.

Ravindranath Babu added that the Police department is trying to prevent any untoward incident in the district. He said the police and the Village Defence Squads keep an eye on the suspects, rowdies, anti-social elements who are habitual offenders and have a history of crime.

He said the Village Defence Squads will also work to check the activities of the anti-social elements who disrupt peace and communal harmony. He once again appealed to the people to inform to the police or local Village Defence Squads, if they notice the movement of anti-social elements and suspects in the villages particularly at the places of worship, the Hindu temples, churches, mosques and other holy places.

On the other hand, the Commissioner of Police, Vijayawada, B Srinivasulu also issued instructions to the police to be on high alert and increase the vigil at the places of worship. He instructed the police to form peace committees to increase communal harmony between the people of different faiths.

The city police have identified that there are 1414 places of worship under the limits of the Commissionerate. A total of 875 CC cameras were installed. The police are also taking measures to ensure protection to the temples, churches and mosques and holding discussions with the managements of the religious places for the protection of the same.