Rajasthan Govt announces compensation for Ajmer blast victims(lead: Ajmer blast)

Terming the blast at the shrine of the Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer as an attempt to divide the nation, the Rajasthan Government today announced compensation for the blast victims in which two people have been killed and 16 others have been injured.

Ajmer/New Delhi, Oct 11 : Terming the blast at the shrine of the Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer as an attempt to divide the nation, the Rajasthan Government today announced compensation for the blast victims in which two people have been killed and 16 others have been injured.

Rupees five lakh will be give to the nearest kin of the dead, and rupees one lakh will be given to those injured in the blast, according to an announcement made by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia.

The blast took place at around 6: 15 pm (IST), when people were readying themselves to break their daylong fast that are observed during the holy month of Ramzan.

The Union Home Ministry has termed the blast as a terror attack and have sent a team of forensic experts to the site. High alert has been sounded in Delhi and Mumbai. The ministry has also issued directions to the State governments to remain vigilant.

Officials of the Ministry said that a 'general advisory' was already issued in view of the festivals that are round the corner and the Rajasthan Government had taken necessary precautions.

''However, we are alert and we have issued a countrywide alert because the festival season is near. Id is to be celebrated soon and so is Dusshera and Durga Pooja. So, we are alert,'' said Union Home Minister of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal.

According to eyewitnesses the bomb was placed in a polythene bag and kept near a tree in the compound of the Dargah. There were approximately 5000 people in the shrine at the time of blast.

The injured have been rushed to the nearby hospital.

The police have cordoned off the area.

ANI