Source

MUMBAI, INDIA, October 28, 2003: Security has been stepped up at the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai after warnings that it could be the next terrorist target. “The temple trust has hired a foreign security agency to guard the temple,” said Sanjay Bhagwat, chief executive officer of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust. New safety measures in place include trained guards checking every bag, including wallets, that devotees bring in and making sure that roads around the temple remain no-parking zones. A watchtower is in the offing at the nearby police division. The temple has four handheld detectors and four door frame metal detectors and has requisitioned eight more sophisticated ones, Bhagwat said. He said, “Forty security personnel will guard the temple in three shifts every day. Many of them will mingle with the crowd in plain clothes. Kiran Dolas, manager (operations) of Group 4 Securitas (G4S), the agency hired by the temple, said: “We have given them training in body frisking, religious training and extensive study of body language to be able to spot potential troublemakers.” G4S provides security to the American Consulate and armed escort to foreign banks. Police, for their part, are playing it safe. Ahmed Javed, joint commissioner of police (law and order) said, ‘The Siddhivinayak temple is a landmark and has great emotional and religious value for the city, so we asked the temple authorities to upgrade security.” Bhagwat has a piece of advice for devotees. “Just bring grass and flowers for the Lord. Not heavy bags and garlands.”

Post Views: 662