The Tamil Nadu government is set to introduce a QR code-based security system to prevent smuggling of idols from temples across the state.

Informing about the government’s decision, Tamil Nadu Minister PK Sekar Babu said the process of providing the temple idols with a QR code-based security system is currently underway and is expected to be completed in six month.

After the exercise, the idols will be under surveillance by the Tamil Nadu police and their location can be traced in case they go missing, Sekar said.

“Chief Minister (MP Stalin) held a separate review meeting on this issue. Valuable idols will be given QR codes and if they go missing, their location can be traced by the police headquarters. This work is already in progress Once the work is completed, if any idol goes missing, it can be immediately traced and recovered. The process is expected to be completed in 6 months,” Sekar Babu said while speaking to reporters in Chennai. .

“We will take steps to ensure that the idols we have recovered so far will be reinstalled in the respective temple to which they belong after verification of documents,” he added.

Referring to the mega spiritual event of Soorasamharam in Tamil Nadu, which marked the culmination of the annual Kandha Sashti festival at temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, Babu said the event in Tiruchendur attracted over eight lakh devotees.

“Those who participated in the Soorasamharam (meaning the triumph of good over evil by enacting the killing of demon Surapadman by Lord Subrahmanya) event organized on Thursday in Tiruchendur appreciated the arrangements made for the festival,” Babu said.