Vikhe Patil demands CISF deployment at Shirdi shrine

Shirdi, Jan 22: Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has urged the Centre to deploy CISF personnel at the famous Saibaba shrine here to provide security.

Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Patil, who represents the Shirdi assembly constituency, said that the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) is ready to bear the expenses of CISF security in and around the temple.

"I have been demanding CISF security for Shirdi temple from the state as well as the central government, but it was informed that other religious shrines across the country have also been making a similar demand. But in this case, SSST is ready to bear the expenses. Then also our proposal is being delayed," he alleged.

He also claimed that the government machinery sounds an alert only after a terror attack takes place. Since lakhs of devotees undertake a pilgrimage to Shirdi, tightening the security has become imperative before any such incident happens, Patil said.

As per records, more than two crore pilgrims visit the temple in a year and a big crowd is expected in 2018 when the Shri Saibaba Samadhi centenary will be held, he said.

PTI