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ANNUAL CRIME CONFERENCE FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE AND DIRECTOR OF TRAINING INSTITUTE ROYAL BHUTAN POLICE
To determine and reduce vandalism of chortens and robberies of lhakhangs, the police are planning to install CCTV and shock sensor technology. The plan will see two CCTVs installed in each identified lhakhangs. The move is estimated to cost Nu 330 million. Some 476 lhakhangs from about 1800 registered ones were identified as more important.
Shock sensor systems will be installed in chortens. Such a system would either trigger an alarm or alert authorities if a certain level of movement or shocks are detected on the chorten.
The plan was announced by the police chief, Brigadier Kipchu Namgyel, at the opening of the annual crime conference held on May 18, 2015.
The police chief pointed out that paperwork for the proposal is ready and will soon be submitted to the home ministry. Police Chief added that if the police did not get the financial support to install the CCTV from other countries, the government and the lhakhangs would install the equipment on a cost-sharing basis.
“Most of the lhakhangs that were robbed didn’t have caretaker so installing a CCTV and a shock sensors system will be helpful, “ Brigadier Kipchu Namgyel said.

SInce 1987, a total of 291 lhakhangs were robbed and 3,249 chortens vandalized. In the past two years, a total of 565 chortens and 21 lhakhangs were vandalized and robbed.
In 2013, a total of 245 chortens and 10 lhakhangs were robbed. The number of chortens vandalized increased to 272, while eight lhakhangs were burgled last year. In the first three months this year, 48 chortens have already been vandalized and three lhakhangs burgled.
The increasing number of such crimes prompted the police to form a special investigation team. A total of 61 cases were solved by the team and 112 people involved in chorten vandalism and lhakhang robberies arrested.

Of the 112 detained, 14 were not convicted and released. The remaining suspects were forwarded to court. Of the 98 suspects, 70 were found guilty and convicted, while 17 are still under trial, and 11 suspects released by the court.
Home minister Damcho Dorji said that it was not the responsibility of the police alone to protect the country’s lhakhangs and chortens, but the citizens as well.
Posted on:19 May,2015
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