Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A day after Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that the Centre is yet to decide on deploying CISF personnel at religious places,CM Nitish Kumar reiterated his demand for CISF security for the Mahabodhi temple.
Soon after the serial blasts at the temple on Sunday,Nitish had demanded CISF team for the shrine,citing its special status.
The Bodhi Temple Management Committee had engaged a private security agency to guard the place. Hinting at security lapses,Nitish said,We have to know where the lapses have taken place. After all,cylinder bombs of two and a half kg each made way to the temple premises. Mistakes have to be identified,accepted and remedial action taken. Though there are many religious places in the country,the Mahabodhi temple is different. Buddhists from across the world visit the place. I appeal to the Centre to make adequate arrangements for its security,taking into consideration the temples special status.
He said that questions on internal security would be raised throughout the probe into the blasts and even after it is over. We have to find an answer to it and learn our lessons,rising above political affiliations, Nitish added.
Gaya district administration has asked the private security agency to explain its position on security lapses. The private security agency had signed an MoU with BTMC for round-the-clock security of the temple; it owes an explanation to the BTMC and NIA, said an official. The NIA team has questioned several security staffers of the temple.
