BTMC hands over Security of Mahabodhi Mandir to Bihar Police

Gaya: Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, BTMC which looks after the overall affairs of Mahabodhi Mandir has has decided to completely handover the security of the temple to Bihar Police following yesterday’s blasts.

Meanwhile, Police have detained one person from Gaya for questioning in connection with the Bodhgaya serial blasts. Sources said, the man was detained on the basis of eye witness accounts and the ongoing investigations. He, however, has not yet been declared a suspect.

Two monks were injured when 9 low intensity blasts rocked the temple town early yesterday. National Investigation Agency, NIA has begun probing the blasts. Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami termed the blasts as terror attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts so far.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has demanded deployment of Central Industrial Security Force at the shrine. Addressing a press conference in Patna, he said that his government will do everything to bring the culprits of the Bodhgaya blasts, to justice. He said, we should learn lessons from these blasts and do everything not to allow such things from happening again. He also appealed to political parties not to politicise the blasts.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that his Ministry took prompt action and sent National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) teams immediately after the Bodhgaya blasts. He however refused to divulge more details saying that the investigation is under way.

Earlier today, authorities released CCTV footage of the serial blasts that rocked the famous Bodhgaya temple town yesterday. A team of investigators from NIA, NSG and other agencies searched for clues in the serial blasts that left two monks injured.

The Director General of Bihar Police, Abhayanand today said that lab tests confirmed the presence of Ammonium Nitrate in the crude low intensity bombs used in the blasts. He said the person arrested in connection with the blast has been identified.

Update

1. Today evening Mahabodhi temple has been reopened for prayers. Buddhist monks from 50 countries today held a special prayer inside the temple. Head of Monastries of different countries also attended the prayer.

2. Tourism Ministry has sought an immediate report from Bihar government on the damage caused to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya by bomb attack. According to an official release, Tourism Minister K.Chiranjeevi has also condemned the incident.