0 Villages told to secure temples

The provincial cultural agency has asked customary villages to enhance security at temples to prevent the theft of sacred objects, an act that was rampant during 2012. “The villages could actively safeguard temples by deploying pecalang [traditional security guards],” agency head Ketut Suastika said, as quoted by Antara news agency. He said the village residents should also actively take part in maintaining security at temples by mekemit, or patrolling at the temple through the night. 

“It takes the participation of all villagers to prevent theft and other crimes,” he said, adding that 24-hour security might be needed around these sacred places. As many as 30 burglaries of sacred temple artifacts took place throughout 2012, angering the public and putting a lot of pressure on the local police, who eventually set up a special task force to deal with the crime. So far, the police have arrested four suspects, who were allegedly responsible for breaking in into 16 temples.

source : bali daily