Following the recent fire accident at Meenakshi Temple HC suggested enhancement of security arrangements(G.N.S) Dt. 12 Madurai ‘State can seek security service of a Central agency’ Following the recent fire accident at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday suggested enhancement of security arrangements. A division bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and R. Tharani suggested prohibition of carrying cell phones into the temple. Instead, a vault could be put up for devotees to keep their cell phones, similar to the practice in other major temples across India, the court said. But temple officials could be exempted from this procedure. The court also mooted training of staff and officials of the temple in using fire fighting apparatus. It observed that closed-circuit television cameras of higher resolution could be installed for improved clarity and electrical cables replaced with ones of better quality. With regard to security measures, the court observed that if necessary the State could seek security service of a Central agency. It directed the district authorities to identify encroachments around the temple and remove them in accordance with law. Taking cognisance of the reported idol thefts in the State, the HC felt that security arrangements in temples across Tamil Nadu needed to be enhanced. The petitioner, advocate S. Muthukumar, sought action against officials for not ensuring proper security measures at the temple. He claimed that encroachment by shopkeepers and non-compliance with security measures had resulted in the fire. He sought a State-level committee to monitor security measures, renovation and maintenance of the temple.