KOLKATA, July 30, 2013: One may have seen a Buddhist monk shopping on the city streets. But how often do you see one trying to understand whether RDX can be smuggled through door-frame metal detectors?

Monday was one of those rare occasions when a senior Buddhist monk was seen poring over a catalogue at a shop on AJC Bose Road, trying to understand the functionality of hand-held metal detectors, bomb suppression blankets and night vision cameras.

He is among the 11 monks who look after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO world heritage site, that was rocked by a series of explosions on July 7.

Apart from buying security equipment (he has bought several hand-held and door-frame metal detectors), the monk is in the city to meet top cops and gather information on how to beef up security at the temple complex.

Though the Mahabodhi Temple and the holy Bodhi Tree haven't been affected by the series of low-intensity blasts, it has definitely triggered the temple authorities to rethink the safety arrangement. At present, the Bihar Military Police (BMP) keeps a guard at the spot.

They want to tighten security at the earliest, especially for the safety of the devotees who throng the temple between October and March every year. Around 2,000 foreigners visit the temple daily during this period.

According to suggestions given by senior cops in Kolkata, some security measures have already been put in place. These include installation of two door-frame metal detectors, a similar number of hand held metal detectors and 16 CCTVs. However, the requirement is double the number.

During one of the conversations, the monk told a senior police officer that the damage could have been worse. "Firstly, the bombs exploded early in the morning when lesser people were around. Secondly, a bomb that was kept in the folded palms of the 60-feet Buddha statue inside the Mahabodhi Temple didn't explode. This fear has prompted us to explore how we can help the Bihar Police in their efforts," he said.

The monk, who did not want to be named, added: "We are not concerned with the 11 monks who stay there or the 89 staffers, but the thousands who will throng there October onwards. Though mobile phones and cameras have been banned, more needs to be done."

Senior city cops have pointed out that door-frame metal detectors - though a visible deterrent - are rendered largely ineffective in temples. "In a situation where 10 people try to enter the gate all at once, not uncommon in a temple, what effect will the door-frame detectors have. Hand-held metal detectors are more effective. Frisking and regulated entry can help. Baggage X-ray machines and CCTVs installed at a lower height to capture the visitors' faces can augment security," an officer said.

Another officer felt that deployment of trained manpower at the spot can be a possible solution.

How often do you see a Buddhist monk in Kolkata trying to understand whether RDX can be smuggled through door-frame metal detectors? Not often perhaps. It becomes all the more important if the monk is from Bodh Gaya on a shopping spree in Kolkata, scouting for metal detectors, X-ray machines, night vision cameras even bomb suppression blankets. The monk is among the 11 who look after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, an UNESCO world heritage site, which was rocked by a series of explosions on July 7, this year.

The senior monk (who requested not to be named) not only went through the catalogue of the AJC Bose Road-based Arihant Enterprises, he actually bought several hand-held metal detectors and door frame metal detectors. There is more to this list. The monk also met several top cops in Kolkata trying to get a sense on what they can do further to augment to the Bihar Military Police (BMP) now deployed to guard the temple complex.

The Mahabodhi Temple and the holy Bodhi Tree (where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment) though largely unscathed from the series of low-intensity bomb blast, has clearly spurred a rethink. Primarily, so for the huge turnout expected during the October-March season, including over 2,000 foreigners head daily to the temple. According to the conversations the monk had with the senior cops in Kolkata, some security measures have already been put in place. These include two doorframe metal detectors, a similar number of hand held metal detectors and 16 CCTVs. The requirement is double the number.

In one of these conversations the monk told a senior police officer, "The damage was controlled but it could have been worser. One the bombs exploded early in the morning when lesser people were around. Secondly, a bomb which didn't explode was kept in the folded palms of the 60-feet Buddha statue which is inside the Mahabodhi Temple. This fear has prompted us to explore how we can also augment the Bihar Police in their efforts. We are not concerned with the 11 monks who stay there, neither the 89 staffers, but the thousands who will throng there come October. Mobile phones and cameras have been banned. But more needs to be done."

The senior cops in Kolkata reasoned with the monk that doorframe metal detectors - though a visible deterrent - are rendered largely ineffective in temples. "In a situation where 10 people try to enter the gate all at once, not uncommon in a temple, what effect with the doorframe detectors have. Frisking is the only option and regulated entry. Handheld metal detectors are more effective in such situations. To augment it will be baggage x-rays and CCTV cameras installed at a lower height to capture the visitors' faces," an officer (with a long stint in central paramilitary force) advised the monk. Another officer suggested the work of bomb suppression blankets can be done by sandbags. "The idea is to isolate the bomb till police comes. This can be done with sandbags too. The focus instead should be more at setting up a trained manpower pool for security."

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 30, 2013.