Rajnath Singh directs Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi to stop Church attacks

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh has asked Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi to take strong action to prevent repeat of incidents such as vandalism and thefts at churches. "Different communities live here and small things become national news, while anything bigger becomes global news, which hurts Delhi Police’s image. The force should work proactively to maintain its image," Singh said at the Raising Day function of the Delhi Police.

Home Secretary LC Goyal told Bassi to have police pickets outside most churches, ask the minority institutions to raise the height of the boundary walls of their premises and do a status check on CCTVs inside and outside all churches. "The Delhi Police has said there have been thefts reported at nearly 265 other religious installations since 2014 till date, including at 222 temples, 32 gurudwaras and 18 mosques, but the media has only pointed out thefts at half-a-dozen churches. The ministry has asked Delhi Police to check the incidents of vandalism and arson at churches, which are not simple cases of theft," a senior home ministry official said. The investigation in the cases will be speeded up, the official said.