'There should be no politics on Bodh Gaya blasts': Nitish Kumar

Asserting that there should be no politics on the Bodh Gaya blasts, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said Sunday's terror strike is a lesson for everybody, and urged the Centre to take firm steps to intensify the security of the Mahabodhi temple, which is a symbol of faith for crores of followers of Buddhism all over the world.

"I have already written a letter on behalf of the state government. But I would like to appeal to the Government of India and the Home Ministry that there should be an appropriate security of this temple, which is a symbol of faith for crores of followers of Buddhism all over the world, located in Bihar," he told the media here.

Kumar said the National Investigating Agency (NIA) probing the blasts in the temple town should be allowed to reach to a logical conclusion.

"Since the probe has been handed over the NIA, we should allow them to reach to a conclusion. The police was not deployed for internal security of the temple; it was deputed outside as a cover. The internal security was given to an independent security agency by the BTMC (Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee)," said Kumar.

"Whether it is the Bihar Government, the Central Government or the people of the state, all of them are interested in only one thing that those responsible for this incident should be caught and brought to justice. Secondly, whatever has taken place is a lesson from everyone and we should all plan future arrangements after taking proper lessons from it," he added.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde yesterday said the Central Government is considering the request for deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at Bodh Gaya temple in Bihar after the serial blasts there.

Shinde, who visited Bodh Gaya along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said the government will consider CISF security for holy sites.

The two leaders met officials of the investigation agencies and Bihar Government during which they reviewed the security arrangements after blasts in the temple complex.

The Home Minister after the review meeting said the probe is on by NIA, and added that the investigators would look at all possible angles into the blast.

Shinde informed that cylinders filled with ball bearing were planted at the temple in the night.

The Home Minister and Congress President's visit to Bodh Gaya came a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lashed out at the Centre, and alleged that it was incompetent in tackling terror attacks in the country.

The Nitish Kumar Government in Bihar has come under sharp criticism following the terror strike in the Mahabodhi temple complex.

Bihar Police has filed 3 FIRs against unidentified persons in connection with the serial blasts. The FIRs were filed at Bodh Gaya police station on the basis of statements made by security personnel on duty at the temple complex which was rocked by blasts on Sunday last.

Meanwhile, two persons who were detained for questioning in connection with the blasts have been released as no evidence has been found against them.

The NIA is probing the serial blasts, which rocked the temple town of Bodh Gaya on Sunday. Two monks were injured in the nine low intensity blasts.

Security agencies suspect that Indian Mujahideen may be behind Sunday's multiple blasts. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the blasts.

The Home Ministry has directed all states to ensure foolproof security at Buddhist shrines and Tibetan settlements.