Cameras at masjid removed on request of leaders: Shabbir Ali

Hyderabad, May 19 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Energy and Minority Welfare Minister Mohd Ali Shabbir today admitted that the 'police cameras' at Mecca masjid, where the bomb blast occurred yesterday leaving 16 people killed and more than 50 injured, were removed following the request of the religious leaders.

Speking to newspersons here, Mr Shabbir said the police cameras were installed in the masjid during Friday prayers since several years. Based on the request of the religious leaders, the government had removed the camers after the Congress came to power.

Stating that the religious leaders had complained to the government that the installation of cameras in the masjid was projecting the 'Muslims' as terrorists, he said the government would take a decision on the installation of cameras in the masjid and deployment of additional forces at the premises during Friday prayers after consulting the religious leaders.

UNI