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Theft spree near most secured temple in Kerala

Trivandrum - Thieves broke into six shops within the high security zone near the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in 3 days.

In what is a mockery of the most modern security system in India, thieves have broken into six shops within the high security zone established by Kerala police to secure the recently discovered treasures valued at about Rs1 trillion at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple here within the last three days.
Braving the commandos keeping a close watch of every movement around the temple, 59 CCTV cameras, bollards and road blockers, the thieves first struck at five shops on the bank of Padmatheertham (holy pond), barely 100 metres from the temple, on Wednesday.
Disappointed with the booty of just Rs8,600 they managed to get from these shops, the thieves returned three days later and made away with Rs35,000 from a shop selling lottery tickets, 150 metres away from the temple. The shop is situated on the main road leading to the temple.
Top police officials are surprised since the area is lit by powerful LED lights and is under the close vigil of security men. The second theft came soon after the police claimed to have arrested the thief responsible for the burglary on Wednesday.The traders in the area have questioned the police claim. They believe that the thief involved in both the incidents could be the same since there are several similarities between the two operations. Apart from cash, the thief did not pick up anything from the shops. The police are examining the CCTV footage to find the real thief.
Various Hindu organisations have expressed concern over the incident. The Hindu Akikyavedi has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the series of thefts. In a statement, Hindu Aikyavedi State committee member Thirumala Anil said that it was shocking that the theft had taken place in an area which is considered as a high security zone.
The statement pointed out that it was surprising that the burglaries had taken place despite regular police patrolling. Akiyavedi state committee member Thirumala Anil said that it was disturbing to note that the thefts had taken within a region which is considered as a high security zone where none enter unnoticed.
He said that the incident was a pointer to the lax security in the temple. The theft spree comes three months after five pipe bombs were found packed in the holy pond. The bombs were found packed in gunny bags by some workers while cleaning the pond.
The Padmanabhaswamy temple came to be known as the richest temple in the world after the discovery of the treasures hidden in subterranean vaults in the temple three years ago. The valuables in five of the six vaults opened by a committee set up by the Supreme Court are estimated to be worth more than Rs1 trillion.
This is the market price but the antique value of the items is guessed to be many times more. The sixth vault which is yet to be opened is said to contain more than what is already unearthed.
Following the discovery, the Kerala police had put in place an integrated security command and control centre at the temple to safeguard the treasures.
The state of the art security for the temple, which has been declared as a no-fly-zone, comprise an aerial surveillance system, blast proof perimeter walls, seismic sensors to protect the treasure vaults from tunnelling, surveillance cameras, baggage scanners, burglar alarms, electro-hydraulic bollards, short vertical posts, and road blockers.
The police perceive threats to the treasure not only from international professional thieves and pirates but also "terrorists looking for international mileage, anti-social elements who want to create communal trouble and left extremist aligned atheist groups. - news@khaleejtimes.com