The YSR Congress Party  (YSRCP) former MLA Malladi Vishnu has accused the State government of failing to ensure the safety of temples and their assets, following the reported disappearance of the sacred Mangalsutram of Goddess Bhramaramba at the Pedakakani Malleswara Swamy temple.

Speaking to the media at the YSRCP central office here on Sunday, Mr. Vishnu demanded a thorough probe into the incident and sought to know how such a valuable ornament could go missing from the temple. The matter raised serious questions about the functioning of the Endowments Department and the security arrangements at important religious institutions, he said, and questioned why the police were allegedly not alerted immediately after the disappearance came to light. 

Mr. Vishnu also sought clarification on whether the temple’s CCTV surveillance system was operational and whether the authorities had examined the possibility of theft.

Taking exception to the questioning of priests, Mr. Vishnu claimed they were reportedly called to the police station late at night instead of the authorities first identifying lapses by officials responsible for the temple’s administration, custody and security.

He alleged that concerns relating to missing valuables, cash and alleged irregularities in hundi counting had surfaced on several occasions at Pedakakani and other prominent temples. Similar issues had also been reported in connection with the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada, he alleged.

The government should strengthen CCTV monitoring and security arrangements at major temples and ensure proper protection of jewellery, hundi collections and other temple properties, he said.