UP denies terrorist hand in Meerut fire

Lucknow, Apr 12 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government today categorically denied that the Trade Fair inferno in Meerut on Monday, which resulted in the death of over 60 people, was the handiwork of terrorists.

''The fire in Meerut was due to short circuit and there is absolutely nothing to suggest any terrorist activity involved in that,'' Principal Secretary (Home) Satish Kumar Agarwal and state DGP Bua Singh told reporters here this evening.

Brushing aside the allegation from some quarters, especially senior BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi that the terrorists had planned the fire, the senior UP government officials said ''It was not true,'' adding ''In the initial probe the cause of the fire has been found to be an electric short circuit.'' They also denied that the sounds of explosion were heard from the spot when the fire had broken out.

Mr Agarwal and Mr Singh said that all three organisers of the Trade Fair were still at large and would be arrested soon on the charge of criminal negligence. ''They are safe and the police would nab them very soon,'' the officers asserted.

Admitting that there was a lot of resentment among the people of Meerut over the incident and the role of the district administration, the Principal Home Secreatry said the government had understood their feelings and that was why the DM and SSP had been tranferred today.

Meanwhile, three more people saccumbed to the burn injuries in Delhi and so far 28 dead bodies had been identified.

The DGP said yesterday, there was a complaint of 41 missing people but the tally had come down to nine by this evening.

Rescue and relief work was underway and proper medical treatment was being ensured to all those who were in UP hospitals, they said.

UNI SB ARS YA BST2015