Death toll in Masjid blast rises to 16: YSR

Hyderabad, May 19: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the death toll in yesterday's bomb blast in the Mecca Mosque rose to 16 with four more victims succumbing to their injuries in hospital today.

Speaking to newspersons here, Dr Reddy said of the 16, 11 were killed in the bomb blast while five died in police firing. Fifty -six people were injured, he added.

Stating that the state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to each of the families of the 16 victims and a house for those who did not have any in the city, Dr Reddy said the Centre also announced an additional Rs one lakh ex-gratia to next of kin of the deceased.

The law and order situation was totally under control in the sensitive old city, the Chief Minister said.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil reviewed the situation in detail with state Home Minister K Jana Reddy and the police officials concerned for an hour at the Secretariat, he said.

UNI