NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry has agreed to Bihar government’s request for handing over the security of Bodh Gaya complex to the Central Industrial Security Force ( CISF ). Even though protection of religious places does not fall in the ambit of CISF duties, the Centre allowed the force to be deployed at the Buddhist shrine as it is also a world heritage site. The state government has already agreed to pick up the tab.

Justifying the decision to extend CISF cover to Bodh Gaya — the site of July 7 serial blasts triggered by suspected terrorists — Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday said the Centre consented to the Bihar’s request as it was concerned over security of the world heritage site.

"Security in Bodhi temple is a concern for us as it is a world heritage site and recently witnessed serial blasts. The CISF personnel will take over the temple security very soon," he told reporters.

Incidentally, the MHA worked around the CISF rules that don’t provide for protection of religious places, by treating Bodh Gaya shrine as a "historical monument of national importance". Red Fort and Taj Mahal are the only two places granted CISF protection under this category. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which maintains the two structures, pays for the CISF cover there.

The home ministry will be seeking ASI's comments on the proposal to grant CISF cover to Bodh Gaya. The ASI note will underline the importance of the Buddhist shrine as a world heritage site and justify the deployment of a professional force like CISF.

However, ASI will be spared the financial burden of CISF deployment at Bodh Gaya, as Bihar has already come forward to foot the bill.

Once the CISF proposal gets the final clearance, its experts will first carry out a detailed audit of the existing security systems at Bodh Gaya and draw up a list of reinforcements needed both for gadgetry and manpower. Not only will its highly-trained personnel guard the temple complex, but hi-tech equipment for access control and perimeter security are also likely to be installed there.