Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has drastically scaled down security at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, which is ranked among the world's richest. The number of commandos, posted at the four entry points of the temple for handling situations as grave as a terrorist attack, has been reduced to half. The measures have left devotees in panic as the temple is known to hold immeasurable wealth within its vaults.
The trimming follows an earlier reduction in security deployment in the name of a rejig of duties. It was the previous government that had deployed the commandos as directed by the Supreme Court. Details as to why the temple security was slashed was not known.
Thousands of devotees visit the temple every day, even from other states, ever since the information on the treasures at the temple became known. Commandos drawn from the Indian Reserve Battalion were entrusted with the task of observing these crowds and assisting them. While they were posted at the four gates, the state police commando unit was entrusted with security duties outside the temple premises.
Commandos at the four gates were withdrawn first in the name of a duty overhaul. Security personnel were told to carry out patrolling in groups of six each. Half of the guards were removed from security duties later. While 20 guards were available for security duties at night earlier, the current force is just four.
More details as to why the temple security was slashed were not known. The temple security panel will review the situation Thursday.
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