Bihar, Uttar Pradesh tighten security after Delhi HC blast

Patna/Ayodhya,Sep.8 (ANI): After Wednesday's blast outside Delhi High Court, security has been tightened various parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, especially in crowded areas.

The death of eleven persons and injury to 76 others in the bomb explosion outside the court, has prompted authorities in Bihar capital Patna and in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh to beef up security, as these areas have some Muslim-dominant pockets.

Soon after the blast, a high alert security was sounded at Patna High Court. It was turned into a virtual fortress with a large number of police personnel being deployed along with a sniffer dog squad.

Meanwhile, lawyers have appealed to the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to increase security and instal CCTV cameras to prevent terror strikes on the court premises.

In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the town wore a deserted look. Scores of police personnel have been deployed, especially outside temples.

"The atmosphere in Ayodhya is peaceful. We can clearly see that calmness is prevailing all over the city. Security arrangements are completely fine. Every man is attentive. Security personnel are being deployed at every temple," said Dayanand Shahi, a priest, Ayodhya.

Earlier in May, a low-intensity blast outside the same court in Delhi triggered panic. No one was injured then.

Authorities said they are investigating a claim of responsibility allegedly made by the Harkat-ul-Jihad Islami (HuJI) militant group-an al Qaeda affiliate with bases in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Forensic evidence initially shows the use of nitrate based explosives with possible traces of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), a powerful high explosive.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police also released sketches of two suspects with the hopes of the public reciprocating to nab them at the earliest.

In an e-mail to India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), the South Asian militant group, of HuJI called on India to repeal the death sentence of a man convicted for his role in an attack on the Indian Parliament House in 2001 and warned it would otherwise target major courts in the country.

An attack in broad daylight at such a high-profile location, which lacked CCTV cameras and had faulty security scanners, quickly led critics to question the authorities readiness especially as it came ahead of the September 11, 2001 anniversary of attacks in the United States. (ANI)