By IANS
Malappuram (Kerala) : With temple thefts increasing in parts of Kerala, the police have set up a ‘People’s Force’ to guard the shrines at night from Monday.
The first area to be covered will be Malappuram district’s Kondotty area, which boasts of some 30 temples.
The ‘People’s Force’ will be made up of 10 to 12 locals. Policemen on night patrol will be in contact with them.
“Since it is impossible for the police to provide security to all the temples, we thought of creating a system similar to community policing,” said police circle inspector V.K. Abdul Khader.
Kerala, especially the northern district of Kasargod, witnessed a large number of temple thefts in 2007.
“We are happy to involve people in policing. It is very effective in controlling burglaries and other unlawful activities,” said P. Vijayan, the Malappuram superintendent of police. “People in an area know who is an outsider.”
Said Abdul Khader: “The thieves are not interested in the idols. They usually take away ornaments which are made of precious metals besides lamps and utensils made of special alloys.”