Will examine CISF cover for shrines: Shinde

New Delhi, July 10: The centre is considering the request of Bihar and Maharashtra governments to provide Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) cover to popular shrines, union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Wednesday.

"Both states have said they will pay for it. We need to examine it as the CISF has a limited role. We are considering the requests," Shinde told reporters here.

According to the union home minister, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has requested the centre for CISF cover for the Maha Bodhi shrine at Bodh Gaya, after serial blasts rocked the holy site Sunday.

Similary, the Maharashtra government has sought CISF cover for the Sai Baba Temple near Pune, he said.

The home minister said there had been alerts issued to states over threats to various shrines like the Siddhivinayak and Mahalaxmi temples in Mumbai, and the police has taken action.

"Inputs have been given to states. Police is taking action," Shinde said.

IANS