New Delhi — Security of churches in Delhi has been beefed up and CCTV cameras have been installed at 164 of them in the wake of a spate of attacks, Union minister of state for home Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary said on Wednesday in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Six cases of incidents concerning churches were reported in December and January-February, after which the Delhi police took several steps to ensure security and safety of the churches in Delhi, the minister said in reply to CPI(M) MP K.K. Ragesh.
A meeting was convened by the Union home secretary on February 13, with commissioner of the Delhi police to discuss the measures to prevent recurrence of such cases, he said.
There are 240 churches in Delhi, out of which 161 churches have installed CCTV cameras. The concerned DCPs and other staff at police stations have been directed to make surprise visits to the churches, reported The Asian Age.
A DCP-level officer has been nominated as nodal officer for redressal of problems of minority community and a Facebook page, Minority Brethren, has been created by the Delhi police for posting problems of institutions and schools, the minister said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi police investigation of fire at St. Sebastian Church, Dilshad Garden, on December 1 is underway. The breaking of window of Jasola Church on December 6 has been closed after due enquiry, he said.