Mufti Abu Basher, who was arrested earlier this month by Uttar Pradesh police in connection with the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts, was also involved in the blast in Lumbini Park in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister K Jana Reddy said.
After a high level review meeting at the state Secretariat, the home minister told the reporters that after questioning Basher, the state police officials were convinced that he was responsible for the blast at Lumbini Park.
"From the beginning, we were suspecting his involvement in the incident. But we could not arrest him as he was absconding since the incident. Our police played a crucial role in his arrest by providing information about him to the police officials of other states," he said.
At least 43 people had died in simultaneous blasts in Hyderabad on August 25, 2007. While 32 people were killed in the blast in Gokul Chat, 11 people were killed at the Laserium in Lumbini Park.
Police officials are hoping that once brought to Hyderabad, Abu Basher will provide vital information about those behind the twin blasts, including the one at Gokul Chat.
It is believed that the Hyderabad city police had raided the residence of a religious figure Moulana Naseeruddin in the city three days on the basis of information provided by Abu Basher. The Hyderabad police has already arrested one son of Naseeruddin in July and another son is believed to be in custody since the police raided his house.
It may be recalled here that Abu Basher had worked as a teacher in a Hyderabad-based madrassa for almost two years from 2005, but later returned to his home in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the state government has decided to tighten security in Hyderabad and all other sensitive places across the state in view of the onset of the month of Ramadan and Ganesh festival almost simultaneously.
At a high level review meeting with the top police officials, the chief minister directed the police to remain on high vigil round the clock to ensure peace and order.
In Hyderabad alone, more than 10,000 policemen, including the personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force and AP special police will be on duty. Across the state, 25,000 police personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order.
"All the sensitive places will be kept under close observation. All main Ganesh mandapams will have the bandobust arrangements. All other small mandapams will be closely and constantly monitored by the mobile patrolling police. Even volunteers of the Ganesh mandapams are being trained for security alert. Movements around places of worship and Ganesh mandapams will be closely watched with extra vigil," an official press release said.
As an extraordinary precautionary measure, the state government has requested the army commander, Andhra sub-area to keep sufficient troops in their own units to move out in case of emergency to assist civil authorities.
While the month of Ramadan is expected to begin on September 2, the fortnight-long Ganesh festival will star from September 4 and culminate with a massive immersion procession in Hyderabad on September 14.
The chief minister said since the festival is coming before the elections, all care should be taken and vigil maintained to avoid any untoward incidents.
He wanted the police officials to be on alert since vested interests can raise their heads anywhere.
