National Security Guard inspects Meenakshi temple

A six-member team from the National Security Guard (NSG) on Tuesday reviewed the security apparatus at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple here. 

Though the inspection was routine and had nothing to do with the recent fire, there was speculation that the team’s visit was to review the situation in the aftermath of the calamity. After the fire broke out late on Friday night, various Hindu outfits had demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident. It was echoed by BJP national president H Raja as well. 

However, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said that there was no need for a CBI inquiry. Against this backdrop, the NSG team, headed by SP Rajesh Kumar Pandey, reviewed the security apparatus in the temple. The team also obtained the blueprint of the temple and inspected the entry and exit points. The NSG team examined the working condition of CCTV cameras, metal detectors, among others. It also checked if fire tenders are in place near the temple and the availability of other security measures such as the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) and the dog squad. Rajesh Kumar said it was a routine inspection done every year and it had nothing to do with the recent fire. 

Meanwhile, a team of 12 commandos of the Tamil Nadu police on Tuesday inspected facilities in the famed Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai to ensure additional security ahead of Mahasivarathri. Temple officials said the exercise was undertaken to ensure security for the shrine which has been witnessing an increase in footfalls and in the wake of the fire accident at the Meenakshi temple. All entrance and exit points were checked to ensure ease of access to rescue personnel in the event of any calamitous situation. 

The team also inspected sannadhis and pragarams in the temple, the metal detectors and scanners in various locations as well as the CCTV cameras placed in 61 locations in the premises. They also reviewed a blueprint of the temple and held discussions with temple officials. The move, which is expected to continue for another day, will ensure improved security for the temple, officials claimed.