MAHABODHI PROBE – ONE IN POLICE NET

* Tight security at Sri Lankan institutes in Chennai

* Police studying CCTV footage

Indian Police arrested a man yesterday over the weekend attacks at the historic Bodh Gaya Buddhist temple complex and were studying CCTV footage that appeared to show two men planting explosives at the site.

“The Police are doing everything to identify the two persons on the basis of the CCTV footage,” police official Chandan Kushwaha told AFP. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but police arrested a local man who was being questioned in connection with the blasts. “A man identified as Vinod Mistri was taken into custody in connection with the serial bomb blasts in Bodh Gaya,” state police official S.K. Bharadwaj told AFP. Police picked up Mistri in the Barachatti area, a stronghold of Maoist insurgents 129 kilometres south of the state capital Patna, Bharadwaj said, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, Chennai City Police strengthened security for all Sri Lankan institutions in Chennai deploying over 5,000 police personnel across the Chenna city, India following the blasts, Express News Service reported.

Police said they strengthened security in both Mahabodhi Society in Egmore and Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Nungambakkam with a minimum of 10 constables and one police officer present throughout.

Security was already in place permanently at Mahabodhi Society opposite the Chennai City Police Commissioner’s office following attacks. The existing security has now been strengthened

Police personnel have been deployed in other Sri Lankan offices including bank and airlines. “In addition, a bomb detection squad will be on duty round the clock outside these premises,” a senior police official said. Vehicle checks have been intensified and policemen have been posted in crowded locations including shopping areas, places of worship, bus stands and railway stations.