Centre sends force to Andhra

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The Centre has rushed a strong contingent of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to assist the Andhra Pradesh Government in dealing with the violence that broke out in the wake of a bomb explosion in the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad during Friday prayers this afternoon.

"We have stationed a strong contingent at the disposal of the state government," a spokesman of the Home Ministry said here.

He said the Centre would send a forensic team to assist the state police in examining the nature of the blast.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary and reviewed the situation in the state.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs is in constant touch with the Andhra government," the spokesman said.

UNI