Chhattisgarh blast: state govt rules out probe into security

Raipur, Mar 1 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh government today ruled out any inquiry into alleged security lapses leading to yesterday's landmine blast in Dantewada district.

''I do not think there is a need for an inqiry,'' Chief Secretary Rajendra Prasad Baghai told mediapersons after visiting the site.

''There is always scope for improvement. We are reviewing the situation so as to take appropriate steps to plug possible lapses,'' he added.

Responding to a question, he agreed there was a need to further strengthen coordination between security forces, including paramilitary forces, and the intelligence network.

Asked about Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's statement, in Parliament, that the Chhattisgarh government possessed definite information about a possible naxal strike of the same magnitude in the region, Mr Baghai denied any ''definite'' intelligence input.

Governor Krishna Mohan Seth and Chief Minister Raman Singh visited the injured in a hospital at Bhadrachalam in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Thirty-two victims were airlifted there. One died en route and another succumbed at the hospital.

Pointing out that eight of the severely injured were later shifted to hospitals at Khamman district town, he said three were likely to be shifted to Hyderabad. The government would bear medical expenses and officials were stationed at Bhadrachalam and Khamman.

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