Mantralaya security beefed up after spate of suicide bids

Maharashtra government is in the process of revamping security measures at Mantralaya, after a string of suicide attempts at the state secretariat has left the government red faced.

A senior Home department official said preliminary discussions over the issue has been held and a comprehensive plan is being formulated to prevent suicide attempts in future, while keeping the premises as open and accessible as before.

“We have held discussions on this issue and working on a comprehensive plan to reduce such incidents. The challenge before us is to keep access while maintaining security. Maintaining security is very easy if access is denied to a large number of people. However, we have to keep Mantralaya easily open to people from all strata of society,” he said.

The official said modalities are being worked out to ensure access and approach is maintained while ensuring that the grievances of people are ventilated to an extent that people do not attempt to end their lives.

“We have had preliminary discussions and we have

some thoughts and ideas on the table, he said.

“For starters, we have decided to have CCTV cameras in every nook and corner of the secretariat. Also, though we already have police presence in Mantralaya, the deployment of forces on every floor (of the seven storied

building) will be closely looked at, to help guide people and prevent such incidents,” the official said.

He added that another measure under consideration is fixing a safety net across the first floor, similar to that used during the construction of high rises.