The step was taken due to a terrorist attack on Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh in which 10 persons were killed and over fifty were injured when they were about to finish their afternoon prayers.

Union home minister Shivraj Patil who visited the site on Saturday morning, along with the chief minister Rajshekhar Reddy expressed satisfaction that the people, media and the officers involved in the investigating the dastardly incident should a considerable restrain and did not get provoked by the act which was designed to create communal tension between various religious groups in the country.

Addressing newsmen at touring the Mecca Mosque, Patil admitted that there might have been some laxity in the security but assured that it would be taken care of. Chief Minister Reddy had alleged that despite the fact that the Intelligence Bureau had passed on the information about the impending attack on a religious place in Hyderabad, but no action was taken by the central government to prevent the blasts.

Chief of All India Majlis Ithahadul Muslmeen, Owasi called for better security arrangements at the Mosques and other religious places.

"Normally three cameras worked at the Mecca Masjid but on Friday only one camera was functional. I know that it is not possible to provide protection to each and every religious place including the Mosques but some of the historical ones could have a fool proof security arrangement," he said.

He is planning to take up the matter with Prime Minister Dr Singh so that the devotees feel secure during prayers.