Serial bomb blasts early on Sunday shattered the tranquility of the temple town of Bodh Gaya. Suspected terrorists exploded nine low intensity bombs, including four on the premises of Mahabodhi temple, leaving two foreigners injured and exposing the security lapses in and around the temple, which enjoys the status of a World Heritage site.
The first of its kind terror blasts in Bihar has set alarm bells ringing in the State administration. After visiting the blast sites, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar informed the media that security will be strengthened in the temple town and requests will also be made to the Centre for the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Mahabodhi temple. BJP activists led by local MlA and former Minister Prem Kumar shouted slogans against Nitish Kumar and asked him to "go back".
Bihar Police suspects the involvement of Indian Mujahideen in the temple blasts. National Investigation Agency has collected evidence from blast sites. A local said that the explosion could be heard even from half km distance. According to an eyewitness, the first bomb exploded around 5.30 am just below the Bodhi Tree where lord Buddha is understood to have attained enlightenment. The blast damaged a staircase erected to reach the platform for the purpose of worship. It also damaged a glass casket containing footprints of Buddha.
The second bomb exploded near Tara temple located on the Mahabodhi temple premises followed by one more explosion near a small Stupa (close to a Peepal tree). One explosion took place on near butter lamp house (a place where pilgrims lighten candles). These four bombs went off at the interval of two minutes.
In the second phase of the serial explosions, terrorists triggered two bombs near Tergar monastery while another explosion was reported from a nearby open field. According to sources, terrorists also planted a bomb at the height of 20 feet on the 80 feet statue of lord Buddha. A deep hole was created in the statute due to the impact of the explosion. Another bomb exploded inside an empty tourist bus. The serial blasts continued till 7.45 am.
Three live bombs were also recovered by the security personnel during the intensive search operation. One live bomb was recovered from near 80 feet Buddha statue and another from Tergar monastery, the third from near a hotel.
On the Mahabodhi temple premises, unarmed private security guards had been deployed for frisking pilgrims, as no armed guard can be deputed due to restrictions as per religious beliefs.
Door Floor Metal Detectors have also been installed but the security need to be improved, observed a regular visitor. Jawans belonging to Counter Insurgency Anti Terrorists Squads have been deputed for the security of the Mahabodhi temple. These jawans belong to the district police but they have been given special training for the jobs.
A local priest said that anybody can perform meditation even at night by paying a nominal fee of Rs 100. Preliminary investigations suggest that chemicals used in bombs were RDX, Ammonium Nitrate and TNT, and all bombs were fitted with timers.
One of the injured, Buddhist monk Vilasagga from Myanmar, who is pursuing his PhD at the local Myanmar Buddhist Academic Centre, has sustained injuries in various parts of his body. He was in the deep meditation near the Bodhi tree when the bomb went off. His teacher, Nanda who was present at the hospital said that he was completely shaken with the incident as it was highly unexpected that terrorists can execute their unholy plans at Bodh Gaya too.
The second injured, Torjay Dorjay, undergoing treatment at Anugrah Narayan Medical College, is a staffer of Nigma temple and he bore the brunt of explosion while he was performing "Parikarma" of the Mahabodhi temple. He has sustained injuries on both legs while doctors performed operation to remove an iron splinter, which pierced into his right ankle.
In all, 16 CCTVs cameras were installed at various locations on the temple premises.Even during off season, on an average 3,000-4,000 pilgrims visit Mahabodhi temple daily, several of them are Hindus. But during the peak months starting from late September, the number of visitors to Mahabodhi temple can be as high as 10,000 daily.