Centre warns states against possible strikes on religious places

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The Centre today alerted all the states to step up security in the light of intelligence inputs suggesting possible terror strikes on places of worship in many states, including Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Minister of State for Home Shriprakash Jaiswal told mediapersons here today that a similar advisory had also been issued earlier to all states.

He did not rule out the involvement of terrorist outfits in the bomb explosion which eight people were killed in Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad this afternoon.

"Though no terrorist organisation has so far claimed responsibility for the Hyderbad explosion, the purpose of such an attack is definitely to disturb communal harmony," he said.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil denounced the blast, and cautioned the people about the "evil designs of the forces which are trying to foment communal trouble." The appealed to people to remain calm and cooperate with the government in maintaining peace and harmony, while reiterating the government's resolve to sternly deal with the perpetrators of such incidents.

He asked the states to be vigilant about the anti-social elements seeking to use the Mecca Masjid incident to whip up communal passion and create disturbances to upset peace and harmony.

Mr Patil talked to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y Rajasekhara Reddy, who was in the capital city, and pledged all support of the Centre in tackling the situation.

Meanwhile, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta reviewed the security situation in the country in the wake of the explosion at the Mecca Masjid during Friday prayers.

During the hour-long meeting, they discussed the steps to be taken to ensure that the communal violence that erupted in some parts of Andhra Pradesh does not spill over to other parts of the country.

A spokesman of the Home Ministry said there was no information about who could be behind the Mecca Masjid blast. "However, we suspect terrorist angle." The Centre had rushed a strong contingent of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to assist the Andhra Pradesh Government in dealing with the situation.

"We have stationed a strong contingent at the disposal of the state government," he said, adding that "more RAF personnel will be sent to Andhra Pradesh, if necessary, as they are well trained to deal with communal violence." The spokesman said the Centre would send a forensic team to assist the state police in examining the nature of the blast.

Mr Madhukar Gupta spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary immediately after the blast and reviewed the situation in the state.

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

UNI