Panch Mandir in Hazaribagh town, where security will be upgraded, on Friday. Picture by Vishvendu Jaipuriar

Hazaribagh, July 12: Hazaribagh, which has earned the dubious distinction of being a safe haven for terrorists if not terror attacks, is taking that extra step to safeguard its temples and shrines in the wake of Sunday’s Bodhgaya blast.

The district police conducted a security audit on Wednesday and identified nine ancient temples that witness heavy footfall round the year and need foolproof surveillance. A similar survey of churches, mosques and shrines in the district will be carried out in the coming days.

According to a sub-inspector who was part of the survey, the nine temples are Panch Mandir and Budhwa Mahadev located in Hazaribagh town, Narsingha Sthan in Khapariyawan village, Budhwa Mahadev at Barkagaon, Budhia Mata (Ichak), Surya Mandir (Barkatha), Mahamaya Mandir (Banaso), Kandaber Mandir (Keredari) and Jagannath Temple (Silwar).

“The selection was made on the basis of the number of people visiting the temples daily and also during special occasions,” he added.

Confirming the exercise, superintendent of police Manoj Kaushik said they would be working in phases.

“In the first phase, temple authorities have to do their bit and take proper measures to upgrade security and prevent any untoward incident at the religion sites. The respective committees have been asked to remain in touch with local police stations and inform them ahead of any ceremony or event, which the crowd count goes up. We will provide them security personnel during such occasions,” he said.

In the second phase, CCTV cameras will be installed on the premises to strengthen the security apparatus.

The third step will be to identify gurdwaras, mosques, churches and shrines that also draw a huge number of people and are vulnerable to any kind of subversive attack.

Hazaribagh was linked to terror activities after the killing of two terrorists, who had attacked the American Center in Calcutta in 2002.

Mohammad Idris and aide Salim had been hiding in a one-storeyed house at Khirgaon till they were found out by a team led by Delhi police and killed in an encounter.

Last year, another terrorist was nabbed from the town, once again exposing the district’s vulnerability.