Nitish Kumar seeks special security for Bodh Gaya temple

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Thursday appealed to the central government to ensure "special security" for Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi temple that was rocked by 10 bomb blasts Sunday.

"I appeal to the central government and particularly to the home ministry to treat security for Bodh Gaya's temple as a special case. There is an urgent need for special security to the temple," Nitish Kumar told media persons here.

He said that soon after serial bomb explosions at Bodh Gaya Sunday he had demanded the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the temple.

"Now security of the temple is the top priority of the state government," he said.

The Bodh Gaya temple is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is where the Buddha, who was born in neighbouring Nepal, attained enlightenment around 2,550 years ago.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Wednesday during his Bodh Gaya visit said that the home ministry will discuss the demand for CISF deployment.

"We will take any decision in this matter after discussion," he said.

Shinde said that till date the CISF has not been deployed at any religious place in the country, and added that a similar demand for CISF deployment had been made for the Shirdi Sai temple in Maharashtra.

Nitish Kumar said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating the case and state police is helping it.

"The government will provide all possible assistance to NIA in its investigation," he said.

He added stern action will be taken against the guilty.

"We will not spare any one," he said.