Bodies of blast victims from Gujarat brought home

Palanpur, July 12 (UNI) Kaatra, a sleepy village in North Gujarat, about 45 km from here, felt the reverberations of Tuesday's Mumbai blasts as a diamond merchant from the village perished in the terror attack at the Khar station.

The victim, Mavaji Gothi (44), who has his office in Opera House, Churni Road, had boarded the train from Churchgate to go to Goregaon, where he resides. When the train reached Khar, the bomb blew off and ripped apart the the first class compartment, in which he was travelling, said Chelabhai Gothi, his uncle.

Mavaji is well remembered in the village as he had donated Rs 21 lakh for a local school.

He is survived by his wife, parents and three sons.

His septugenarian father, Haribhai Gothi, was inconsolable. ''I never expected the death of my son before my eyes. I should have died in his place. There cannot be any greater tragedy,'' he cried.

Mavaji's body is being brought from Mumbai to the village for the last rites.

Meanwhile a Surat report said, another diamond broker who had been to Mumbai for business purpose also fell victim to the terror attacks.

The body of Babubhai Vagani, aged 45, was brought to his residence in Ved Road this morning.

Seven bomb blasts had rocked Mumbai's suburban Western Railway last evening, in which 183 people were killed and 714 left injured.

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