Accessible to common people, security lapse at Mantralaya raises several questions

There is a robust security mechanism complete with 24×7 monitoring cell housed within the premises, which has multiple entry points. Therefore, when an unknown woman enters the premises, walks through six floors and reaches up to the closed cabin of the deputy CM without being stopped, it raises several questions. Even on reaching the high-profile office of Fadnavis, she did not conduct herself stealthily; instead she stomped the floor shouting. She removed the nameplate, fixed with nuts and bolts with ease and then went on to break the flower pots to express her anger.

Officially, Fadnavis said, “The police are probing the incident which took place on Thursday evening. We have to ascertain the reason behind the act.”

On security lapses, he said, “Common people walk in and out of Mantralaya daily. It is accessible to everybody. There have been instances in the past when individuals have entered the CM office and attempted self-immolation. Even during other regimes (Congress-NCP), instances of individuals jumping from top floors have occurred. To avoid loss of life we put up safety nets.”

“We will look into the case to find out what caused the woman to take such a step. We will address her concerns,” he added.

The development evoked strong reactions across party lines. The Shiv Sena (UBT) said “if the Home minister’s office is vandalised, it is a sad commentary on security.”

Senior BJP cabinet minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “We have to find out the exact reason behind this act. Is this an individual act or someone was behind it. In the given political situation there have been new methods adopted by some to defame Fadnavis. All these aspects will be looked by the probe.”

BJP leader Praveen Darekar demanded a probe, saying, “It is a serious security lapse. It raises questions why would anybody target Fadnavis? We cannot rule out politics behind it.”

Is access to Mantralay easy?

Access to Mantralay is not difficult. Anybody who wants entry can make a pass at the main gate entrance. The person irrespective of caste, class and community can simply register his/her name, Aadhaar card or any identity card. The temporary pass is valid only for a day. While seeking the pass the individual has to clearly state which department / official / ministry he / she wishes to visit.

Once inside the main building, people use lifts or elevators. There are staircases also. Even on normal days there are hundreds of outsiders inside the building. They leisurely walk across floors. But then every individual’s identity is recorded.

As Mungantiwar said, “If we tighten security and restrict people’s entry, we receive criticism. Our MLAs get upset. As they believe Mantralaya should be open for citizens. Now, police can only verify the individuals’ credentials. They can record the reason for their visit. But what’s on an individual’s mind cannot be known.”

Apart from that, details of the individual is recorded through camera before pass is issued. Once the pass is given the visitor passes through multiple checkpoints from entrance gate to main gate. At each entry gate there are metal detectors scans.

At every floor there are men and women in khaki. During working hours specially when CM and Dy CM are present in premises security is beefed up. During non-office hours also police take a round to spot any untoward movement. Every individual’s movement is monitored.