Maharashtra assembly on terror hit list

Stringent security measures like ban on entry of cars belonging to ministers and Members of Legislative Assembly were put in place at the Maharashtra legislature complex following inputs that it was on the terror radar, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said on Thursday.

"As per inputs from police and intelligence officials, the legislature building is among the vital installations in the state which are on the terrorists' hit list and hence security measures have been tightened," Bhujbal said.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and other ministers were seen walking down from main entrance of the complex to attend the budget session, which commenced on Thursday, after parking their cars outside.

The only exception was Governor K Shankarnarayanan who was allowed to take his car inside the complex located in Nariman Point area of south Mumbai.

Earlier, vehicles of ministers and legislators were allowed inside the complex to be parked in the porch.

But on Thursday, even bodyguards and drivers of legislators were not allowed to enter the building as part of stringent security initiatives.

"There are plans to use web cams to take photographs of visitors who would be issued entry passes," a senior official said.

The strict security measures come into force 15 months after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and in the backdrop of a recent security audit conducted by the police on the landmark Vidhan Bhawan.

The audit report pointed to security shortcomings at the Legislature building, terming existing systems as  "obsolete". It stressed the need for a complete overhaul and upgradation of security on an urgent basis.