Youth arrested for threatening to blow up temple

PATNA: A youth was arrested for sending an SMS threatening to blow up Bihar's Vishnupad temple that is visited by thousands of Hindus from India and abroad, police said.

The temple, located in Gaya town, about 100 km from here, is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu.

Sanjay Singh, in his mid-20s, is the son of Shankar Singh, a Bihar police constable, and lives in the police line quarters under the Rampur police station.

"Singh is being interrogated to find out if he has any links with any terrorist outfit," Gaya police chief Malar Vizhi said.

Security around the temple has been beefed up for the fortnight-long Pitrapaksh festival, during which Hindus consider it auspicious to offer 'pindadan' to seek salvation for the dead from the cycle of rebirth.

Legend has it that Hindu god Ram, along with Sita, had performed the ritual at the temple for his father, Dasharath.

Police sources said that Singh had sent the SMS last week to Magadh Range DIG Pravin Bashist and District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar.

It led to panic as news spread that a terrorist organisation was targeting the temple. 

Some activists of Hinduvta outfits spread rumours that Muslim or Islamic terrorists were behind the SMS.

"We demand a high level probe into an SMS sender's connection and links. The truth should be exposed," Roomi Khan, a Muslim youth said. His demand was supported by hundreds of Muslims, who suspected a conspiracy behind the SMS.

"Police should inquire whether Bajrang Dal, VHP or any other organisation was behind Singh," businessman Salam Ansari said.