No security for Sindh’s minorities' places of worship

Rs400m project to secure temples, churches and gurdwaras still not started

KARACHI: Given the inadequate security at minorities’ worship places in the province, last year the Sindh government announced a Rs400 million project to protect temples, churches and gurdwaras by installing surveillance cameras and appointing security guards. However, like many projects initiated by the government, this too is in the doldrums.

Official sources in the minority affairs department told The Express Tribune there are more than 1,200 worship places of minorities in Sindh and a majority lack permanent security arrangements. "In 2014, when a mob set a temple in Larkana on fire, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ordered strict security arrangements at all temples, but nothing has been done so far," a senior official in the minority affairs department lamented, adding that different feasibility reports were prepared and projects designed but nothing was done.

"Rs400 million was earmarked last year to install closed-circuit television cameras and monitoring systems at all minorities’ places of worship, but this project is nothing more than a document,” said the official.



According to official records available with The Express Tribune, there are around 700 temples, 494 churches and six gurdwaras in the province where government had to deploy two policemen at each site, but the deployment depended on the law and order situation in the country. "Whenever bomb blasts occur in the country, the government orders police to tighten security at our worship places," said Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA Diwan Chand Chawla.  Referring to the recent attack on a church in Quetta, he said, "A few days ago I was astonished to see that there were no policemen at Sadh Belo in Sukkur, which is famous for its highly revered Hindu temples”.  Chawla, who is himself from Sukkur, said, "There are nine running temples and two main churches in our city area, but poor security arrangements are a matter of great concern."

He said that two years ago, the Sindh government had also announced to appoint security guards from the minority community at their worship places, but this project could also not be implemented.

According to the government report, out of a total 1,200 worship places of minorities in Sindh, 490 are located in Karachi alone, of which 380 are churches and the rest of others are temples or gurdwaras. The number of worship places in Hyderabad stands at 238 while 50 places are in Nawabshah division, 120 in Mirpurkhas, 140 in Larkana and Sukkur division has a total 161 worship places for minorities.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Minority Affairs Dr Khatumal Jewan told The Express Tribune that a committee comprising representatives of four departments - finance, planning and development, IT and minorities affairs - has been formed to look into this matter. "We have finalised each and every thing and handed over this project to the information and technology department to award tenders for CCTV cameras and monitoring rooms at each temple, church and gurdwara," he explained, adding that in the first phase, the number of a total worship places where CCTV cameras are to be installed stands at 450.



"In a few days this process will be started," he said, quashing the impression that there was poor security at the worship places of minorities. "Two cops are deployed at each place," he remarked.

When asked about the appointment of security guards from minorities, Chawala said, "This plan has so far been shelved," adding that appointments in the name of different sects will not be feasible. "If we appoint Hindu guards for temples then people from each faith will approach for the same demand, so the government has postponed the plan," he said.