Islamist Jihadists suspected of crime:
Bodh Gaya now safe for pilgrims
 Damage caused to a building in Bodh Gaya |
 An undetenoted bomb was found close to the Buddha statue |
The possibility of any LTTE involvement has also been ruled out by officials although investigators have said the bombs (IEDs) do not resemble any of the bombs used in previous terror attacks carried out in India. A national security analyst, Pravin Swami who is also a writer on security issues said that there is no evidence to conclude as to who the perpetrators of the Bodh Gaya attack were since the investigations were still at a preliminary stage.
In an email to the Sunday Observer he said that ‘it’s possible that the LTTE, or any other group, may have carried out the attack’, but going by recent developments in India, he said that the ‘only suspects who have the capacity and the intention of carrying out this attack are the Islamists’.
The Sunday Observer sought his comments about the blast as an Indian expert analyst on Security Issues, in the aftermath of the attack which perturbed Buddhist devotees in Sri Lanka. There was a public outcry against the attack.
Disturbing revelation
“The bombs which were basically ammonium-nitrate based IEDs, using a simple clock timer, packed into small gas cylinders, could have been used by any group that has the ‘know-how to make such devices,” Swami said. According to him such bomb-making information is accessible to anyone on the internet. |
However, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris told Parliament last Wednesday that the Indian Government has informed Sri lanka, the investigations so far rule out the attacks had a Sri Lankan connection.
A total of ten blasts rocked the peaceful Mahabodhi temple and Sri Maha Bodhi, a place revered by Buddhists all over the world. Three more live bombs, two near the temple and one near a hotel four kilometres away, were defused later.
Explosions
The explosions had occurred within a span of 30 minutes between 5.30am to 6.00am and a meditating Burmese monk under the Bo tree was among those injured. The Sri Lankan High Commission confirmed that no Sri Lankan or Sri Lankan monk was injured in the blasts.Many hundred thousands visit India every year, including nearly 150,000 pilgrims from Sri Lanka to pay homage to the sacred temple and the bo-tree.
This is reportedly the first terror attack in Bihar and targetting of Buddhist shrines by terror groups. The Media reported that following the arrest of Mujahideen suspects in October 2012, an intelligence advisory has been issued to Bihar Police Chief by a special Cell in Delhi that Bodh Gaya was on the terrorist hit list. Reports issued from time to time had warned of heightened risks to Buddhist religious places and their possible targeting by Jihadist groups as a consequence of the riots in Myanmar.
While there are accusations that the state government did not provide proper protection, officials were quoted in the media as saying it was not possible to protect all religious places perceived as targets.
 Side view of building damaged in the attack |
 IED's found in the Bodh Gaya premises |
He said there were two big teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the case and they suspect that three to four people and a car may be involved in the attack. Four people who were arrested soon after the incident have been released now for not having enough evidence to connect them with the attack.The Secretary of the Mahabodhi Trust N.Dorjee speaking to Sunday Observer on Thursday said a Burmese monk and a man were still receiving treatment in hospital but their condition was stable.
Pilgrimage
He said the Sri Lankans could begin their pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya and security has now been improved in the temple complex. However, with the investigations continuing and no suspects arrested a ban on cameras and mobile phones has been imposed for the time being.The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi, Prasad Kariyawasam also confirmed that pilgrim travel was now permitted to Bodh Gaya from Sri Lanka since a security system has been set up with the intervention of the Central Government.
He said, soon after the incident, President Mahinda Rajapaksa phoned Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar and expressed Sri Lanka’s solidarity with the peace loving people of Bihar and India, and offered any assistance that may be required. On his instructions officials at the High Commission and the Deputy High Commissioner’s Office in Chennai were sent to Bodh Gaya on the same day the explosions took place. They were to coordinate with authorities in India to ensure the safety and security of the sacred site as well as pilgrims, particularly from Sri Lanka.
According to the HC it has been established that there has been no damage to the sacred Bodhi, the structure of the shrine and premises or to sacred objects as a result of the blasts.
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Bodh Gaya was not the target - SL High Commissioner in India
 Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India, Pradeep Kariyawasam |
In a lengthy explanatory letter in reply to a query the Sunday Observer made he said.
“Investigations continue to be conducted by central and state authorities in India to uncover the sources and intentions behind the abominable attack on the sacred Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bodh Gaya. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex comprises several sacred sites associated with the first seven weeks of the Buddha’s life following his enlightenment including the Vajrasana (the exact spot where the Buddha sat in meditation and attained enlightenment) and the sacred Bodhi Tree under whose shelter the Buddha attained enlightenment.
In a wider area outside this Mahabodhi Temple Complex, there are several temples, monasteries and pilgrim centres constructed mainly by Buddhist communities in Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Tibet, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sikkim etc., and these centres are maintained by monks and members of the respective communities.
The Bodh Gaya centre of the Mahabodhi Society of India is situated outside but in close proximity to the Mahabodhi Temple Complex.
This centre is managed by Sri Lankan Buddhist monks since the Mahabodhi Society of India was established by the late Anagarika Dharmapala long years ago.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is managed by a Management Committee comprising Indian nationals as per the gazetted provisions of the Indian Government and representatives of several Buddhist countries including Sri Lanka serve on an Advisory Board which provides advice to the Management Committee on request. However, the Advisory Board has no direct role in the management of the Mahabodhi Temple Complex.
In the attack in Bodh Gaya on Sunday 7 July, low intensity bombs were planted within the Mahabodhi Temple Complex and in several sites outside the Mahabodhi Temple Complex including at the Tibetan temple as well as on a bus timed to go off before dawn.
There were no explosives found any where inside or near the Bodh Gaya centre of the Mahabodhi Society of India which is managed by the Sri Lankan Buddhist monks that is visited by Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting Bodh Gaya.
In this context, it is apparent that whoever conducted this attack did not target Sri Lankan pilgrims or Sri Lankan monks.
Moreover, the explosive devices placed within the Mahabodhi Temple Complex as well as outside were timed to explode before dawn during the lean season when there are less pilgrims inhabiting these locations.
Considering these facts, there is no reason to believe that any group connected with Sri Lanka is involved in this attack. Some people in India speculate that this attack may be connected with Mujahedeen groups operating in India.
However, investigating authorities in India have not yet stated anything conclusively as investigations are still continuing. Some believe that this attack could even be the result of a local dispute.”
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