Schools step up vigil, get more guards & CCTVs

NEW DELHI: The break-in at Holy Child Auxilium School in Vasant Vihar has made an already-jittery community even more nervous. The city's Christian schools have stepped up vigil for the past two months following a series of incidents at churches. “I called up school as soon as I heard. We have been vigilant and got the campus covered by CCTV cameras. This is really unfortunate. We have never experienced anything like this in the heart of the capital,“ said Sister Nirmalini, head of Carmel Convent School.

She said adequate security measures had been taken at her school. “Now, more guards will be on duty during school hours. Another group of staff will ensure that no stranger enters the campus during school hours,“ she said.

Sister Nirmalini refuted the police's theory that it was an ordinary case of theft.“There's a pattern of attacks.Even the timing of the attack is the same for all--after midnight and before daybreak.So this cannot be considered an isolated incident.“

Father Babu Varghese, principal of Alaknanda Don Bosco, had been at HC Auxilium from 7.30 am till the police left. He insists that it was not a hate crime. Father Savarimuthu Sanker, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Delhi, said, “It reflects badly on Delhi Police. When Oba ma was here, nothing happened. It shows if there's a political will, anything can be achieved.“

Senior church officials had met Union home minister Rajnath Singh last week to voice their concerns over recent attacks on Christian places of worship.

Don Bosco had a full set of CCTV cameras covering the school campus. More cameras were installed at the school a week ago.

Varghese said, “The police had told us to improve our security systems and surveillance when the schools opened after the winter vacations. Each of our three gates is being manned by two guards.“

Holy Child is an all-girls' school with classes from VI to XII. Its junior branch is in RK Puram. Varghese said that about five nuns--including the principal, Sister Lucy John, live on the campus.There's also a small private chapel, for their use, on the school premises.

Talking about Thursday's incident, Varghese said, “It seems to be a case of robbery . People involved in it may have good knowledge about the location of CCTV cameras and where the money was kept. The doors had been forced open. Even cupboards and drawers were opened. They took money meant for charity and took away mobile phones.“