Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today condemned the bomb blast in Hyderabad and urged members of all communities to maintain peace and communal harmony.
New Delhi/Hyderabad, May 18 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today condemned the bomb blast in Hyderabad and urged members of all communities to maintain peace and communal harmony.
He also expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims in a statement issued today, condemning the powerful crude bomb blast at the historic Mecca mosque in Hyderabad, which claimed five lives and injured around 35 others, including two children.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajshekar Reddy has already announced a compensation of Rs five lakh for the next of kin of those killed in the blast.
The injured will be given a compensation of Rs.20, 000.
Reddy told reporters there were three bombs in all, two of which were later defused. "If these two bombs had also exploded, the situation would have been worse," he added.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) has already been stationed in Hyderabad at the disposal of the state government.
Asserting that the priority was to provide immediate relief to those injured and to the kin of the deceased, Patil cautioned the people about the evil designs of the forces, which were "trying to foment communal trouble".
He appealed to people to remain calm and cooperate with the government in maintaining peace and harmony. He also reiterated the government's resolve to sternly deal with the perpetrators of such incidents.An Anti-Terrorist-Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police has also left for Hyderabad and red alert has been issued in Bangalore and other cities of Andhra Pradesh.
The blast occurred inside the Mecca Masjid, about 10 meters from Charminar, at around 1.30 p.m. when the area was crowded, as thousands had gathered to offer their Friday prayers.
The injured are undergoing treatment at Osmania Hospital.
ANI