The Hindu : National : A sombre moment, says Sonia Gandhi

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Friday, Dec 30, 2005

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National

A sombre moment, says Sonia Gandhi

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has expressed shock over the Bangalore shoot-out on Wednesday. Extending her condolences to the family of Prof. M.C. Puri, who was killed, she said it was "a sombre moment."

"It is time for heightening our vigil and strengthening our resolve. Let the message go out loud and clear that India will not be cowed down by such dastardly attacks and that we will not allow enemies of India to thwart our progress, symbolised in many ways by the IISc and by Bangalore itself,'' she said in a message.

The CPI(M) Polit Bureau, in a statement, said: "The Bangalore incident is a clear indication that the terrorist groups are diversifying their targets for attack. The Central Government and the security forces will have to take this into account when working out a strategy to counter the terrorist activities."

Conveying its sympathy to Prof. Puri's family, it said: "That this outrage has been perpetrated in a premier scientific and academic institution is a cause for deep concern."

In his message to the bereaved family, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said: "I am unable to express my deep grief in his untimely death. The entire nation shares with you the sorrow of losing a noble son of India. I express my heartfelt condolence and pray to God to give you strength to bear this irreparable loss."

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