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Mourning day in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: Rajasthan observed a “mourning day” on Wednesday, when a bandh call given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to protest the serial bomb blasts passed off peacefully. The Walled City remained under curfew from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the city or the State. “The situation is under control,” Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, said. Eight companies of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary and two companies of the Rapid Action Force were deployed in the city, which wore a deserted look throughout the day.

Ms. Raje convened an emergency meeting of the Cabinet in the morning to take stock of the situation and formally mourn the dead. A resolution, extending condolences to the victims, expressed the State’s “firm determination to fight terror.”

“The attempt was seemingly to disturb the peace and create communal tension. The attacks were a conspiracy against Rajasthan and the nation,” Ms. Raje said.

The Cabinet meeting instructed the Ministers to take turns to be present in the Sawai Man Singh Hospital for the next 48 hours. They were also asked to visit the bereaved families and hand over an ex gratia of Rs.5 lakhs in person. The Cabinet instructed Ministers, MLAs and BJP workers to attend the funerals.

The Chief Minister said Tuesday’s blasts in the City’s busy locations were similar to the ones which had taken place in Varanasi, Lucknow and Faizlabad in the past.

“I say this because there are similarities in the techniques adopted. Cycles were used to place the bombs in Uttar Pradesh as well. The timer device employed was sophisticated, indicating the involvement of foreign technology.” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore said at least some of the unidentified bodies could be those of beggars who sat outside the two Hanuman temples where the blasts took place. “The bodies have been photographed. We are seeking the help of the priests to identify them,” he said.

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