CHANDIGARH, June 19: In order to ensure foolproof security at all the religious places to keep strict vigil on mischievous elements as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police have conducted a two-days special checking at all such institutions including Gurdwaras, Temples, Churches and Mosques to review the security arrangements and make sure that closed-circuit Television (CCTv) cameras are installed and functioning. The special checking was conducted on Saturday and Sunday in all the 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.

Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that CPs/SSPs were directed to depute adequate number of teams to visit all the religious places including Temples, Gurudwaras, Churches and Mosques in their jurisdiction and hold security review meetings with the priests and members of management committees. Gazetted rank officers (GOs) were asked to hold meetings with important religious groups such as Satkar committees and Shiv Sena leaders, he said.

 He also directed Police teams to ensure all the Religious places have CCTV cameras installed at the premises and is guarded by the watchman/security guard.At least 698 Police teams, involving over 4000 Police personnel, carried out checking at as many as 16118 Gurdwaras, 4263 Temples, 1930 Churches and 777 Mosques across the state. The entire checking was held under the supervision of Range Inspector Generals of Police (IGsP).

Special DGP Arpit Shukla also urged management committees of all the Gurdwaras, Temples, Churches and Mosques to always remain alert and vigilant to prevent any untoward incident at their respective religious institutions. He asked them to ensure weekly checking of CCTv cameras to make sure that they are in working condition. He also advised the management committees to depute security guards at the entry gate of their respective religious places.Meanwhile, CPs/SSPs are also directed to increase Police Patrolling around all the religious places to intensify surveillance on anti-social elements.