Lingasuguru (Raichur): Special homas and pujas were conducted at the town police station here from Wednesday midnight until Thursday morning, praying for peace and well-being of the residents.Navagraha puja, Mrityunjaya homa, Vastu Shanti, and Dosha Nivarana pujas were conducted in one of the inner rooms at the police station, with a large pumpkin smashed near the main entrance, and saffron sprinkled over it as part of the rituals. Confirming the pujas, inspector Pundalik Patedar said: “Numerous unpleasant incidents, such as fights, thefts, accidents, and other crimes were being reported at the police station. Therefore, homas and pujas were performed to foster peace.” However, this initiative by the police has been criticised by a section of the public, saying: “Police are tasked with upholding law and order. If they themselves engage in homa and puja, who will protect us from the criminals?” Hanumanthappa Kunikelloor, the coordinator of the Kalaburagi division of DSS (N Murthy faction), expressed his dissatisfaction, alongside Lingappa Parangi, the coordinator of the Kalaburagi division of DSS (Ambedkar faction), terming the exercise “utterly foolish” and “inappropriate”. However, Patedar justified the action, saying: “No puja was held in the police station since the new building was inaugurated. As it is the month of Shravana, we performed the Sudarshan homa for peace and order.”