UP Chief Minister Mayawati condemns serial blasts, announces compensation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati, today condemned the three bomb blasts in Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad that claimed the lives of at least 13 persons, including two lawyers and injured over 50.

Lucknow, Nov.23 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati, today condemned the three bomb blasts in Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad that claimed the lives of at least 13 persons, including two lawyers and injured over 50.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati announced a compensation of Rs.two lakh to the next of kin to each of those killed and Rs.50,000 for those injured in the incidents.

She said that there were at least six blasts: three at Varanasi, two at Faizabad and one at Lucknow.

She also said that senior police and intelligence officials , bomb squads and forensic experts are being sent to the three sites to look for clues as to who could be behind the serial blasts, and added that her government would be coming out with a report on the same.

Mayawati blamed the Central intelligence agencies for failing to provide any inputs about the blasts and said that state agencies were not even asked to stay 'alert'. She revealed that the blasts were 'pre-planned' acts by terrorists to disturb peace and harmony in the state and urged the Central Government to take cognisance of the incidents, and take suitable security measures at the earliest in consultation with the State Government.

She described the three blasts as dastardly acts perpetrated by those wishing to spread communal disharmony in the state.

The serial blasts took place at a gap of five minutes from each other between 1 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. Five people lost their lives in Faizabad and four in Varanasi. The source of the blast in Lucknow was a cycle, which was later carried away by a police official.Preliminary investigations reveal that the target of the terror attack was the legal system. The blasts were at Lucknow civil court, Varanasi Collectorate and Faizabad civil court.

The blasts came a week after the Uttar Pradesh police along with central security agencies busted a Jaish-e-Mohammed module who wanted to target Rahul Gandhi. Lawyers had thrashed the three JeM militants when they were being produced before a court here.

Police believe the lawyers were tageted because they refused to appear in cases where suspected militants arrested.

Meanwhile intelligence agencies are actively working towards finding out details. The Union Home Ministry has issued advisories to all states and union territories to step up vigil and surveillance in the wake of the blasts.

HUJI terrorist Vali Ullah, who is currently lodged in the Ghaziabad Jail, is alleged to be the mastermind behind the Varanasi attack.The hand of notorious Jaish militant Masood Asghar is also being suspected.

The entire country has been put on high alert following the blasts, particularly Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The police meanwhile have cordoned the affected area and people's entry has been banned.

Security has been tightened near court premises.

ANI