Left flays blasts, demands probe into intelligence lapse

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Condemning the serial blasts in Mumbai, the Left parties today said they were designed to rip apart the country's social fabric and demanded a thorough probe into the ''serious intelligence lapse''.

''The central and state governments must not spare any effort to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crime and take steps to eliminate the network sustaining the terrorists who indulge in organised fanatical operations,'' leaders of the CPI(M), CPI, Forward Bloc, RSP and CPI(M-L) said.

The Left parties, while postponing the first phase of their anti-Price rise week (July 13-19), have instructed their units to immediately hold meetings and take out silent processions to condemn the terrorist attacks.

CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sitaram Yechury along with two Maharashtra party unit leaders will also undertake an on-the-spot study on the Mumbai blasts, begining tomorrow.

The party has also organised relief works there.

The CPI(M) Polit Bureau statement here flayed the series of bomb blasts in the suburban railway network as a vicious terrorist attack. ''The attack in the Kashmir valley on the same day targeting tourists underlines the similar aim of disrupting normal life and and restoration of peace.'' The left party also demanded adequate compensation to the kin of those killed and provision of all medical help to the injured, while complimenting the people of Mumbai ''who had risen like one man in the face of series of blasts'' yesterday which left more than 180 people dead and several hundred injured.

The CPI also condemned the attack on tourist buses in Srinagar leading to the death of eight people and injuries to several others.

''It shows the desperation of the terrorists who have now taken to attacking soft targets.'' The party called for public demonstrations, expressing resolve to fight terrorism and maintaining calm and peace.

RSP leader and Rajya Sabha member Abani Roy and Forward Bloc General Secretary and MP Debvrat Biswas said the ''mere sounding of a red alert by the Home Ministry was not sufficient''.

''This is a serious lapse on the part of the intelligence agencies. The Home Ministry should keep vigilance throughout the year.'' The CPI(M-L) said the people of Mumbai had shown exemplary courage and humanity in the face of terrorism, ''spontaneously and fearlessly rushing to help the injured and coordinate relief efforts''.

UNI KSA RR RN1520