Mahant of ‘Sankat Mochan’ temple in Varanasi receives letter threatening to blow up

Varanasi: Security of all the major temples was increased after receiving a threat of blowing up the world famous ‘Sankat Mochan’ temple here, police sources said on Wednesday.

Sources said here that the Mahant of the ‘Sankat Mochan’ temple, Professor Vishambhar Nath Mishra reportedly received a one-page letter through post, threatening to destroy the temple before December 6.

Taking the threat with utmost gravity, the security agencies have increased the security of the ‘Kashi Vishwanath’ temple and the ‘Baba Kaal Bhairav’ temple, apart from the ‘Sankat Mochan’ and all the other major temples as a precautionary measure.

A strict vigil is also being maintained on the people visiting the temple. Sources said that the police Circle Officer (CO) has been given the charge of the probe.

Two names and mobile numbers mentioned on the letter are also under scrutiny.

A bomb explosion occurred in the ‘Sankat Mochan’ temple in 2006, leaving many people dead. A similar attack was attempted in 2010 which was foiled by the police. (UNI)