Varanasi honours blast heroes

Varanasi, Mar 12 (UNI) The 11-member bomb disposal squad of Uttar Pradesh police including the expert who defused a powerful bomb here on Tuesday last, were today honoured by the people of the holy city at the Mata Annapurna temple.

Considered to be the second most prominent temple in the holy city after the famed Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the temple administration also organised a ''Deva Yajna'' performed by 21 Brahmins for peace of those who were killed by the twin blast here on Tuesday last.

The Mahant of the temple Rameshwar Puri, told UNI that ''Yantras'' derived from the pristine ashes of the Yajna, will be tied on the hands of those injured in the blast. This will ensure ''shighra labh''(early recovery) from their wounds, he claimed.

While the ten members of the Bomb Disposal Squad were honoured with ''Angvastram'' and ''Smiriti Chinha,'' Amarjeet, who defused a powerful bomb at the busy Dwashashamedh area on same fateful evening, was awarded with Rs 1001, in addition to the twin honours.

UNI ARS NAB VD RN1623