Gaya, July 3: Police have expressed concern over lax security on the world heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara campus and around Bodhgaya.

Deputy inspector-general (DIG) of police, Magadh range, Nayyar Hasnain Khan, pointed out the lapses during a meeting today at the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) office to review the security arrangements.

“The police and the BTMC staff must monitor the closed-circuit television camera footage and maintain its recordings for sometime,” the DIG was quoted as saying.

Khan added that the private security guards deputed by the BTMC on the campus were not trained to handle doorframe metal detectors and must be trained by the Special Branch. The police would also monitor the checking process from time to time. Khan also directed to increase the number of counter insurgency anti-terrorist jawans during day hours. Information about foreign tourists in hotels and guesthouses around Bodhgaya is not passed on to the district police, which is mandatory.

BTMC caretaker Bhikkhu Dinanath said: “Three more doorframe metal detectors have been requisitioned. A control room has been made adjacent to the campus reception for monitoring the CCTV footage.” Gaya senior superintendent of police Ganesh Kumar, city SP Chandan Kushwaha and representatives of Buddhist monasteries in Bodhgaya also attended today’s meet.