Gaya, Jul 8 : The CCTV footage of serials blasts at the Mahabodhi temple and adjoining areas were released today in which some people were seen running helter and skelter to save their lives.
In the CCTV footage of the blast that took place on the left side of Mahabodhi tree in the temple premises at 5:25 A.M yesterday, a boy and a girl, aged about 25 years, were seen walking on the road immediately before the blast.
Taken by surprise at the sound of explosion, the duo were seen stopping for a brief period to find out as to what happened before fleeing from the spot to save themselves.
The footage also showed another man, aged about 30 years, walking inside the Mahabodhi temple and going upto the blast side before making a quick exit.
The smoke billowing from the blast was also captured in the footage which also showed over 100 people standing inside the temple at the time of occurrence of the blast.
The CCTV footage, which was released by the District Development Officer (DDC) Giridhar Dayal, SP (City) Chandan Kushwaha and members of Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), captured the sound of the second blast which took place in Ratnagiri temple located barely 50 meters away from the Mahabodhi temple.
In the third footage of the blast at Taradevi temple, thick smoke was seen billowing out after explosion and scores of people running away for safety.
A BTMC office bearer Arvind Singh, who was present during the release of CCTV footage, said that the footage was released to prove that there was no no lapse on the part of the BTMC to maintain security at the Buddhist shrine and adjoining areas as has been proved by the fact that 15 out of 16 CCTV cameras were functional and only one being out of order.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar told reporters in Patna on Monday that the state government will handle all expenses for posting CISF personnel for securing the Maha Bodhi temple.
“CISF is a capable and efficient central security force. We have asked the Centre to provide CISF to protect the shrine”, said Kumar.
Meanwhile, both Bihar Police and National Investiagation Agency sleuths are working on various leads to catch the petrpetrators of Sunday morning's outrage.
NIA sleuths are checking an abandoned bag containing the I-card of a Gaya cycle mechanic and a monk's robe.
Nitish Kumar said, the historic Maha Bodhi tree, where Buddha received enlightenment, was safe despite a low intensity blast.
He appealed to political parties not to politicize the terror act.
