Blast intended to sabotage peace of Andhra: YSR

New Delhi, May 18: Condeming the blast at the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad as an ''intentional sabotage'' against peace and tranquility, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy today said the government would do everything in its power to restore peace and normalcy in the state.

The Chief Minister, who has been monitoring the developments from Delhi after the news of the blast which killed five people and injured several others came in, told newspersons that the police had detected two live bombs in the area placed in the gunny bags. If these too would have gone off, then the damage would have been more, he remarked.

He declined to say if the act was a terrorist action or internal sabotage by stating that he was yet to get information about the incident which had occurred just two hours ago.

The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 500,000 for the families of the deceased and Rs 20,000 for the injured.

Dr Reddy, who is cutting short his Delhi visit, said he would be rushing back to Hyderabad this evening and urged the citizens to cooperate with the authorities to restore peace and order in the city. He said the intention of the saboteurs was to destroy peace and progress achieved by the state.

Dr Reddy said he has had discussions with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil after the blasts and he had assured Centre's all help and assistance to tide over the crisis. The State and the Central governments will do anything and everything possible to restore order, he said. Earlier in the day, he had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

However, that was before the blast ripped through Hyderabad mosque.

Asked if the blasts were indicative of intelligence failure, Dr Reddy said there were inputs suggesting that some elements were attempting to disturb peace in the state two and a half months ago.

The authorities had stepped up vigilance but such incidents do take place despite all precautions, he said.

He appealed to people to cooperate with authorities to restore peace, the Chief Minister, said.

UNI