Blast aimed at destroying pluralistic culture: Mulayam

Varanasi, Mar 8: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today (Mar 8, 2006) said the serial blasts here were aimed at destroying the ''Ganga-Jamuna'' culture of the city.

Addressing reporters here after visiting the Sankatmochan temple and cantonment railway station, Mr Yadav said no politics should be played over the issue. ''It is time to ensure that the culprits are nabbed at the earliest and justice given to victims,'' he added.

Mr Yadav welcomed the timely visit of Ms Gandhi and Mr Patil and said the support extended by the Centre to his government proved that both were serious in tackling terrorism.

He also hoped that the Special Task Force (STF) of UP Police was capable to crack the case at the earliest. ''They had cracked the sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi fidayeen attack case. I am sure they will achieve early success in solving the blasts' case,'' Mr Yadav noted.

Referring to the LeT terrorist shot dead in the state capital this morning, Mr Yadav said the investigations so far had not linked him to the blasts. ''But probe is still on,'' he added.

He claimed the terrorist, identified as Salar, was a resident of Pakistan and an expert in making explosives.

''The encounter shows how serious the government was in tackling terrorism with an iron fist,'' he added.

UNI

Related Stories
Blast triggered by explosives in pressure cooker