PM condemns serial blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar

New Delhi, Jul 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declared that the government would work to defeat the evil designs of terrorists and not allow them to succeed and appealed to the people to maintain calm in the wake of the series of blasts that claimed several lives in Mumbai and Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued after he presided over an emergency meeting at his 7, Race Course Road residence here tonight, Dr Singh assured the people that the government would take all possible measures to maintain law and order and defeat the forces of terrorism.

''The series of blasts in Jammu and Kashmir and in Mumbai are shocking and cowardly attempts to spread a feeling of fear and terror among our citizens. My heart reaches out and grieves for all those affected by these blasts and have lost their near and dear,'' he said.

''I condemn these shameful acts aimed at our peace-loving people. I reiterate our commitment to fighting terror in all its forms,'' he said.

The Prime Minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had faced attacks of terorists with courage and fortitude in the past. ''I am sure they would continue to fight terror resolutely,'' he said.

''The citizens of Mumbai have faced a similar trauma more than a decade ago,'' he said, referring to the serial blasts in the commercial capital of the country in 1993 which had claimed more than 250 lives and left 1400 people injured.

''I am confident that the people of this great city have the will and the courage to face this situation and will stand firm in their resolve to carry on their normal activities without succumbing to threats of terror,'' he said.

''We will work to defeat the evil designs of terrorists and will not allow them to succeed. I urge the people to remain calm, not to believe rumours and carry on their activities normally.

The government will take all possible measures to maintain law and order and defeat the forces of terrorism,'' he added.

The meeting at the Prime Minister's residence was attended by, among others, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T K A Nair, and Home Secretary V K Duggal.

Mr Patil, who is rushing to Mumbai tonight, said the government was analysing the information gathered on the blasts.

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