Visakhapatnam: Panel formed to keep tab on 'temple attacks'

Visakhapatnam: Given the rising incidents of attack on temples across the state, the district administration formed a communal harmony committee with various department heads and seven community representatives.

Sharing details with media here on Sunday, District Collector V Vinay Chand said the newly formed committee will ensure maintenance ofreligious harmony
without any disturbance. Apart from the State-level communal harmony committee, the District Collector said, the government has directed the district administration to set up a district-level committee in each district to prevent the incidents of vandalism and enhance safety and security at the places of worship.

While the District Collector is the president of the committee, the City Police Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police act as vice-presidents. The Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, the Minority Welfare Officer will be the members and the District Joint Collector will be the member/convener. In addition, heads from seven religious communities will be the members of the committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of Police Manish Kumar Sinha said the committee conveys a message that the communities are together and that it would not step back to take stern action against those involved in crimes against religious harmony. A list of vulnerable and highly problematic areas will be readied, considering the disputes/conflicts that had taken place in the past into account and the situation in those areas will further be reviewed.

SP B Krishna Rao, Joint Collector M Venugopal Reddy and others spoke.

The meeting was attended by District Revenue Officer A Prasad, RDO Penchala Kishore and others.